Russia’s National Media Group (NMG) is set to add the Phoenix film channels to its pay-TV portfolio.
Quoting a source close to NMG, Kommersant reports that Media Telecom, a joint venture between NMG and Rostelecom, is negotiating to become a distributor for the channels. However, they stressed it had no intention to buy them.
NMG distributes thematic channels through both Media Telecom and Media Alliance, with the latter being an 80/20 joint venture with Discovery.
It mainly concentrates on the content of Western companies and since 2016 has acquired Russian versions of Discovery, Turner, Viasat and Sony.
The Phoenix film channels – Phoenix Plus Cinema, Arms and Anecdote TV – are not the first Russian niche services NMG will offer in its package.
Since last year Media Alliance has distributed the Star Cinema, Star Family and Bolt channels.
NMG currently controls 25% of the Russian pay-TV market and plans to increase this through further transactions.
