Russian channels forced off Ukrainian cable

Ukrainian cable operators have removed a number of Russian channels from their programming line-ups following a decision by the Kyiv District Administrative Court to suspend their licences.

Leading cable operator Volia said it had removed Russian international channels NTV Mir, RTR Planeta and Perviy Kanal/Channel One from its line-up at midnight last night, following the decision.

The country’s second largest cable network, Triolan, also said it had removed the channels.

Volia said it was in talks with other channel providers, and that it would shortly add independent Russian news and information channel Dozhd TV to its Start and Optimal packages.  The channel, struggling in its domestic Russian market after being suddenly dropped by the country’s largest service providers, was forced this week to resort to a Telethon to raise funds to try to ensure its survival.

Volia said it also plans to add Ukrainian news channel Espreso TV and hunting and fishing channel Trophy to the two packages.