Russia’s transition to digital broadcasting is gathering momentum, with the federal executive authority Roskomnadzor publishing the tender conditions for the second multiplex as it was announced the first multiplex should reach nearly three quarters of the population by the end of the year.
Speaking in a press conference attended by various Russian ministries, Alexander Zharov, the head of Roskomnadzor, said that the tender was opened on October 16 and will close on November 21.
Kommersant reports that the competition for the second multiplex, the results of which will be announced on December 14, is open to all channels that broadcast in at least five regions and allocate at least 55% of their output to domestic productions.
It will cost each channel – the multiplex will carry a total of 10 – R721,900 (€18,000) to participate in the contest, with the winners each being required to pay R36.095 million and sign a 10-year contract with the RTRS.
Between 15-19 applications are likely to be lodged for the 10 slots available on the multiplex, which should be completed by 2016 and will initially charge each channel R944 million a year for carriage.
The RTRS has meanwhile said that first multiplex is now available to over 57 million people in 45 regions and should reach 72.8% of the population by the end of the year.
