The Russian DTH platform Raduga TV can still apply for a satellite licence despite a court decision against it.
Quoted by ITAR-TASS, Vadim Ampelonsky, a spokesman for Roskomnadzor, said that this is due to the fact that Raduga TV now holds universal broadcasting licences for two channels.
These were awarded for the proprietary Raduga 24 and Otbornoy TV in February. The court decision was made by Moscow’s Ninth Court of Appeal, which upheld a decision by the Moscow Court of Arbitration recognising Roskomnadzor’s legal right to refuse Raduga TV’s application for a satellite broadcasting licence.
Raduga TV, which is 50% owned by MTG, was accused last year by Roskomnadzor of operating without a licence.
The platform has been operating since 2009 and is currently understood to be the fourth largest in Russia in terms of subscriber numbers.
In a separate development, Roskomnadzor has launched a competitor for two licences to operate the ABS-2 satellite
The fee for the first licence, which covers nine transmitters, each of which can transmit up to 20 channels, is R90 million (€1.85 million).
The fee for the second licence, which covers four transmitters, is R40 million.
Bids are invited until April 29, with the winner being announced on May 28.
