Russia could see the launch of a new DTH platform by the end of the year. Operated by a production company named Bridge Media, it would join at least six already serving the country.
Quoted by AKTR and Vedomosti. Bridge Media VP Fedor Strizhkov said that the service would make its debut with 85-100 channels, 30-40 of which would be FTA, and be available in the European part of Russia. Some of these channels would be international and at present not available in the country.
The channel line-up would also include at least eight HD channels, along with all the channels currently produced by Bridge Media.
The premium package, consisting of at least two thirds of the channels offered by the platform, is expected to cost around R350 (€8.6) a month, and reception equipment up to R10,000.
Start-up costs are likely to be in the region of $20 million (€14.6 million), and those for operating the service around $15 million a year.
Bridge Media is understood to be holding talks with a number of satellite facility providers including Eutelsat.
