 |
       |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
MTG buys into Russian pay-TV, launches SVoD Modern Times Group (MTG) of Sweden has acquired a 50% stake in one of Russia's newest pay-TV platforms, and has also launched a subscription video-on-demand service across the Nordic region. First, MTG has bought half of Raduga Holdings from Continental Media for an undisclosed amount in cash. Raduga is the sole owner of LCC DaoGeoCom, which operates Russian nationwide DTH satellite pay-TV platform Raduga TV. The remaining 50% stake in Raduga has been retained by Continental. MTG president and CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht said the Russian deal would allow the company "to develop a competitive pay-TV distribution platform in Europe’s largest market by number of TV households. "Our Viasat channels are already well known by subscribers across Russia. We are an integrated TV broadcaster, operating free and pay-TV businesses across multiple markets, and Russia is one of the most attractive pay-TV markets in the world." Raduga TV was launch a year ago and had 70,000 active subscribers as at 31 December 2009. It offers a package of more than 50 channels, including Discovery Channel Russia, Eurosport Russia, National Geographic, Jetix and the Viasat channels from MTG. Russian networks CTC, Domashny and DTV, which are operated by MTG-backed CTC Media, are also available on a free-to-air basis on the platform together with a number of other Russian free-TV channels. MTG owns 39.4% of CTC Media. The Raduga move means Viasat now provides DTH satellite TV services in a total of nine countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia. The other big story from MTG this morning is the launch of its Viasat OnDemand internet portal, which is available in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. It is being made available to subscribers in a variety of thematic packages. The subscription VoD service offers a range of pay content available via the internet, including live sports events, TV series and 200 feature films at any given time. Deals with US majors CBS Studios International and Warner Bros are in place as well as various sporting bodies. The entertainment package features series such as Two and a Half Men, Friends, ER, Supernatural and Smallville; the sports package includes UEFA Champions League football, ATP and Davis Cup tennis, the NHL and HockeyAllsvenskan, and motor racing’s Formula One World Championship and NASCAR Sprint Cup. Packages cost between US$6.60 and US$27 per month. The platform also includes the catch-up TV services for Viasat’s own free-TV channels and third-party free-TV channels. The service "is the latest step in the ongoing development of our market leading online content offering," said Albrecht. Ed Waller 8 Feb 2010 © C21 Media 2010 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
