Russia scaling back digitisation target

Russia is scaling back its targets for digital-terrestrial TV coverage, according to local press.

The Russian government has pulled back from a commitment to make 20 digital channels free to 98.8% of the population by 2015 and has now set a target of 97.6% of the population. The plan is now for two multiplexes to be made available across the country, with the first, including eight free-to-air channels, now to be completed by 2015. Previously the rollout of this multiplex was scheduled to be completed in three stages, beginning at the end of last year.

The Federal Target Programme for DTT has not included targets for a third multiplex that would include regional digital channels, or plans for HD channels.

The budget for implementing the digitisation programme has also been cut by RUB1.74 billion (€42.5 million) to just over RUB121.8 billion, according to the reports.