National Media Group (NMG) has acquired an 80% stake in the three channels operated by Sony Pictures Television (SPT) in Russia.
Kommersant reports that the stake has until now been owned by the media manager Vladimir Khanumyan, who in turn bought it following the enactment of legislation limiting the level of foreign ownership in Russian media assets to 20%.
As a result of the latest deal, the three channels – Sony Turbo, Sony Sci-Fi and Sony Entertainment – will be able to secure terrestrial frequencies.
This will allow them to again sell advertising, which was prohibited on non-terrestrial channels with less than 75% Russian content following amendmentsto the law On Advertising in 2015.
