Russian TV channels to be launched in Latin America

Digital Television (Tsifrovoe Televidenie), a joint venture between Rostelecom and Russian state broadcaster VGTRK, is set to launch a set of TV channels in Latin America, which will broadcast Russian programmes to viewers in the region.

Before the end of this year, Digital Television hopes to launch information channel IQ HD and cartoon channel Ani, which are already broadcast in Russia, as well as the new Seriamor channel, which will show Russian serials from VGTRK’s library. These channels will be subscription only.

For the launch and running of these channels Rostelecom plans to invest 2 billion roubles ($29.8million) in Digital TV, increasing its stake in the company from 25.33% to 41.29%.

It is anticipated that Digital TV will reach 1.8 million households in Latin America in 2016, and 46.1 million by 2019.

A parallel channel is expected to be launched in Russia, broadcasting Latin American serials to a Russian audience and expected to reach a viewership of 13 million households by 2019.

A Rostelecom representative declined to comment, but Digital TV chairman and general director of VGTRK Dmitry Mednikov confirmed that the company is in discussion with major international broadcasters about potential partnerships.