Russian government scales back digital TV promo funding

The Russian government has decided to withdraw RUB600 million (€13 million) of funding that had been earmarked for the promotion of digital TV ahead of Russia’s planned switchover in 2018, according to local reports.

The government had budgeted for RUB200 million to be spent providing information and promotion about digital TV over the next three years, but this money will now be allocated to other purposes, according to the report.

The government will now provide more limited funding for a call centre and information site, with responsibility for promoting digital largely left to TV channel providers themselves.