The Russian DTH platform Raduga TV, which is backed by Modern Times Group (MTG), will close on December 5.
In a statement, MTG says that this will be due to it not having been granted the required broadcasting licence by the local media regulator.
MTG adds that it will continue to enhance its Russian pay-TV business Viasat, which will launch five new HD channels in 2015.
According to Irina Gofman, EVP/CEO of Russia & CIS and pay-TV emerging markets, “This has been a very difficult decision taken with the other shareholder, given the impact it will have on employees, customers, suppliers, and all of the other stakeholders of the business. Over the past year Raduga has worked very hard exploring all options for obtaining the right licence, which despite their efforts has not been granted. We therefore have no choice but to close down the operations. We are working hard to move our subscribers to another satellite operator and will make an announcement by December 6.”
“The decision does not affect our successful pay-TV channel business Viasat, were we will launch five new HD channels in 2015. Viasat offers 15 channels in Russia, five of which are among the country’s 20 most popular channels.”
MTG has owned 50% of Raduga Holdings, the main owner of DalGeoCom, which operates Raduga TV, since 2010.
The platform launched in 2009 and has recently been linked with MTS, which has just launched its own DTH platform.
Meanwhile, in October the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) gave Digital Broadcasting, owned by Sistema Mass Media, permission to acquire 100% of DalGeoKom.
According to data produced by iKS Consulting, Raduga TV was the fourth largest DTH platform in Russia as of Q2 this year.
