All channels operated by the Russian state broadcaster VGTRK (RTR) will switch to Express-AT1 (56 degrees East) and Express-AT2 (140 degrees East) in January 2015.
Both the Express satellites are owned the RSCC and, according to its DG Yuri Prokhorov, designed specifically for TV broadcasting.
RTR’s channels have until now been distributed by ABS-2 and simulcasting will continue until next summer.
The switch to Express AT-1 and AT-2 is seen as part of a general movement of Russian channels away from foreign satellites, partly on the grounds of cost.
