Russian state-controlled telco Rostelecom is reportedly in talks to buy Moscow-based DTH firm Raduga TV shortly after outlining plans to find local satellite partners.
Raduga board member Anatoliy Sosnovskiy was cited telling local press that its 50%…
Russian state-controlled telco Rostelecom is reportedly in talks to buy Moscow-based DTH firm Raduga TV shortly after outlining plans to find local satellite partners.
Raduga board member Anatoliy Sosnovskiy was cited telling local press that its 50% shareholder Continental Multimedia, which is owned by the satellite broadcaster’s founders, was in talks with the telco about a possible sale.
The comments come a week after Rostelecom president Sergey Kalugin told a press conference that it was looking for satellite operator partnerships to bolster its offering across Russia.
Rostelecom is Russia’s largest fixed-line operator and predominately uses satellite services in its eastern region. It also offers mobile services, although it is in the process of combining those assets with local player Tele2 Russia under a new joint venture.
Continental Multimedia was unable to comment before the press deadline. Rostelecom said it does not comment on any potential transaction before it is finalised, but added that it has “been exploring a number of options and opportunities across different areas and markets”.
Swedish broadcaster Modern Times Group (MTG), which owns the rest of Raduga after buying its 50% stake in 2010 for a reported US$10m, is reportedly also involved in the sale talks.
MTG declined to comment on the matter, stating only that it “remains committed to the asset”.
Russia’s DTH market is dominated by Tricolor TV, NTV-Plus and Orion Express. The latter has also been searching for a strategic partner to expand its offering, with Russia’s largest mobile operator MTS being frequently linked to those plans.
