Luxembourg-based M7 Group has concluded an agreement with the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) for the satellite distribution of Current Time TV in HD via both Astra 19.2 and Eutelsat E9B.
Current Time TV is a 24/7 Russian-language TV and digital network, providing live news, debate and reporting on local, regional, and international issues, aimed at audiences in Russia, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and around the world. It is produced by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in collaboration with Voice of America.
Over the last year, Current Time signed over 50 new media partners in countries like Estonia, Lithuania, and Moldova. Its online videos have been viewed 4 billion times.
Following the agreement with M7, Current Time TV will be distributed free-to-air via Astra 19.2 East (Transponder 1.105, 12.515 MHz), Europe’s prime satellite position reaching over 95 million TV homes, out of which close to 40 million are DTH households. Astra 19.2 distribution allows Current Time TV to substantially enlarge its viewing audience among Russian-language homes in Europe.
As part of the agreement, Current Time TV will be listed in the EPGs of Canal Digitaal, TV Vlaanderen, TéléSAT, HD Austria and Skylink, the M7-owned DTH platforms fully or partially operating via Astra 19.2. Furthermore, Current Time TV will soon also be available as a linear OTT channel via the M7 platforms in Hungary (Direct One) and Romania (Focus Sat).
In addition, Current Time TV will broadcast via Eutelsat E9B at 9 degrees East (Transponder E014, 11.977 MHz), for inclusion in the M7 Germany Russian language package, as well as for encrypted third-party delivery within its Europe-wide footprint.
