Viaplay launches in Russia

Modern Times Group has launched its Viaplay online pay TV service in Russia. The service was previously available in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

The service, which is being made available via broadband internet across Russia, delivers an online on-demand subscription service, offering unlimited on-demand access to streamed TV series and documentaries, as well as international and local movies.

The Russian service will be available for RUB99 (€2.50) a month, RUB199 for three months or RUB295 for six months. The offering will include content from Viasat’s thematic documentary channels Viasat History, Viasat Explorer and Viasat Nature, as well as content from the TV1000-branded movie channels, including Spider-Man 1-3, The Da Vinci Code, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Men in Black II and 50 First Dates, as well as Russian movies such as PiraMMMida, The Ghost and Terra Nova.

“The launch of Viaplay in Russia represents an important milestone both for our emerging markets operations and for MTG as a leading international broadcasting group. More than 50 million Russians, or over 40% of the population, already use the internet, and TV content is one of the most important sources of both online and offline entertainment,“ said Hans-Holger Albrecht, president and CEO of MTG. “MTG has a leading position as a European online on-demand pay-TV operator, and we are excited to bring our experience and technology to Russia, in order to provide Russian viewers with a great online experience. We are already present in the Russian pay-TV market through the Raduga satellite TV platform, and Viaplay will enable more Russians than ever to access our content when and where they want.”