The Russian regulator Roskomnadzor has given its support to new rules governing OTT services proposed by the Media Communications Union (MKS).
According to Gazeta and AKTR, the main provisions of what would be a future bill include the introduction of the term “audiovisual service organiser” and specifying such services as ones reaching 100,000 viewers in Russia as a whole and 20,000 in a single federal entity of the country in the previous month.
The new rules would also see the creation of a special register of OTT services authorised by Roskomnadzor.
Furthermore, in keeping with recently introduced rules governing other media, the maximum level of permitted foreign ownership of such services would be set at 20%.
Although debate about the regulation of OTT services in Russia has intensified following the launch of Netflix at the beginning of this year, the response of established players such as Megogo and Ivi.ru to the proposals has been mixed.
While the new law might come into effect as soon as January 1, 2017, there would be a transitional period for OTT services to comply with the regulations.