Tricolor TV in running for new capacity at 75° East

Russian DTH leader Tricolor TV has reportedly applied for licences to operate transponders on Asia Broadcast Satellite’s new ABS-2 satellite at 75° East.

The Russian regulator, the Roskomnadzor, has opened applications for licences to broadcast via nine transponders and four transponders with fees to be paid to it of RUB90 million (€1.8 million) and RUB40 million respectively.

Fixed line service provider MTS and DTH provider Raduga TV are also reportedly in the running for the licences, which broadcasters must apply for in addition to negotiating for capacity with the satellite operator.

Raduga TV’s application will however not be processed unless it succeeds in obtaining a separate universal broadcasting licence from the Roskomnadzor. In February the operator, which is owned by Modern Times Group and Continental Media, managed to obtain two channel licences as a step to achieving this goal.

Raduga TV’s lack of a universal broadcasting licence led to a criminal investigation into the operator last year. Raduga maintained that it had repeatedly asked for a licence but the Roskomnadzor claimed that it had not received the necessary documentation.