Russia’s Raduga TV referred for operating without a licence

Russian DTH service Raduga TV has been referred to the country’s ministry of justice for operating without a valid licence, after action was taken by regulator Roskomnadzor. 

Raduga TV, a joint venture between Modern Times Group and Continental Multimedia, was fined RUB40,000 (€895) for operating without a licence in October, but appealed.

However, he regulator took the step of referring the matter to the justice ministry, which could instigate criminal proceedings, ahead of a decision by the appellate court, according to local reports.

DalGeoKom, the operating company for Raduga TV, reportedly said that the company had repeatedly asked for a new licence but that it had not been granted, while Roskomnadzor said that it not received the necessary documents.

Roskomnadzor has accused Raduga TV of operating without a licence granting the right to broadcast TV signals using limited radio frequency resources. However, Raduga TV is broadcast via Asia Broadcast Satellite’s ABS-1 spacecraft, which does not use Russian frequencies.