Fox strikes ER-Telecom deal

Russian pay TV operator ER-Telecom has added Fox channels National Geographic and Fox Life to its line-up.

The deal between Fox Channels and ER-Telecom will see Nat Geo programmes including Air Crash Investigation and Alaska’s Toughest Pilots airing on ER-Telecom’s platform. Fox Life broadcasts US series including Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy. Both channels are available in the operator’s basic package.

ER-Telecom ended 2011 with 1.73 million pay TV subscribers having added half a million new subs during the year.

ER-Telecom is reportedly planning to launch digital TV services under the Dom.ru brand in 15 cities between now and 2013, including a basic package with about 100 channels. Services are currently available in Perm, Samara, Tyumen and Chelyabinsk.