The Russian enclave of Kaliningrad will get a digital terrestrial television service before the end of the year. A 129 metres high new transmitter mast is now being built in Bolschakovo. In order to reach maximum penetration, a further 11 smaller transmitters are planned to cover the whole of Kaliningrad Oblast.
The free-to-air DVB-T service will consist of Channel One, five channels from the All-Russia State Television and Radio Company (Rossiya, the news channel Vesti, Kultura, Sport and the kids channel Bibigon) as well as Gazprom’s NTV and Channel 5 from St Petersburg. Also included are three radio stations, Radio Rossiya, Majak and Vesti FM.
In addition to these national channels, a local channel for the Kaliningrad Oblast is planned. At start, the service should have a potential reach of at least 90% of the population. About 430,000 people live in the enclave, with three quarters being native Russians.
