The number of pay-TV subscribers in Ukraine is likely to increase to 6.7 million by 2021.
Furthermore, according to Yaroslav Pakholchuk, the head of pay-TV at 1+1 Media Group, the country’s pay-TV market will by then be worth almost UAH10 billion (€354 million).
Speaking at a press event on the pay-TV market, Pakholchuk added that the encryption of satellite channels, which will take place within the next five months, should despite difficulties in its implementation give new impetus to the industry. There will also be new opportunities for market participants and content producers.
During the event it was also announced that in the last three year 1+1 Media and the Department of Cyber Police of the National Police of Ukraine officially sent over 150 claims to pirates. It carried out at least 10 searches and opened 37 criminal proceedings.
Commenting on content piracy, Andriy Malchevsky, director of 1+1 Media’s distribution and development network, said: “Pirates are a significant problem that not only impedes market development, but also actually diminishes the income of content owners and content providers. Therefore, addressing the problem of piracy is a fundamental challenge for the pay -TV market”.