The distribution costs on Russia’s second DTT multiplex is proving to be an increasing financial burden for broadcasters.
As a result, reports Kommersant, they have asked the state to solve the problem by replacing a portion of their payments with budget subsidies from the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS).
Digital channels are required to pay R150 million (€2.7 million) a year, along with an advance of R840 million, for carriage on the second multiplex.
Distribution costs for channels on the first multiplex are paid for by the state.
Ideally, broadcasters using the second multiplex would like to see their costs reduced by around half.
The second multiplex is expected to reach 98.1% of the population by the end of 2018.
