CNN reclaims Russian licence

US-based news channel CNN International will be returning to Russian screens after the network was granted a broadcast licence by the country’s communications regulator.

The Turner Broadcasting-owned channel became the first major casualty of Russia’s new-look pay TV legislation when it revealed it would cease transmitting at the start of January.

Now, barely six months since it quit the country, the channel is set to start broadcasting again, as first revealed by C21 in February.

CNN’s return, which comes after discussions between the broadcaster and Russian regulator Roskmondazor, was confirmed by Turner in a statement.

“We have complied with all the procedural requirements and are delighted to now be officially licensed in Russia,” it said. “We look forward to be resuming distribution for CNN International in Russia as soon as possible.”

Russia’s TV industry remains in a state of flux following the introduction of legislation reducing foreign ownership and advertising on pay TV channels. The latter has since been amended to permit ads on pay channels with 75% Russian content.

NBCUniversal said in January it would be pulling its pay TV channels, while European broadcaster MTG previously admitted that the Russian market had become “very tough” as it attempts to deal with new regulations and currency fluctuations.

BBC Worldwide also axed its proposal to launch fledgling international channel BBC Brit in September last year.