Feb 15, 2012
CTC Media, Inc. has announced the conclusion of an agreement with GlobeCast envisaging the provision of uplink services to the HOT BIRD(TM) 8 satellite and the subsequent broadcasting of the international version of CTC ("CTC-International"). HOT BIRD(TM) 8 currently covers the countries both in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as a number of countries in North Africa, in the Middle East and Central Asia.
CTC-International can now be received on the cable networks of any country in the HOT BIRD(TM) 8 satellite coverage area. Furthermore, the channel will also be available to all viewers with satellite dishes capable of receiving the signal.
Altogether, the channel will be available to cable and satellite TV subscribers in more than 120 million households, or around 65% of all the households in the satellite's coverage area.
Boris Podolsky, CTC Media's acting Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer: "We are pleased with the success of CTC-International, which is actively growing and developing. The channel's expansion is both the result of signing agreements with new platforms and entering new broadcasting territories, as well as expanding our circle of partners in those areas where CTC-International is already present. This deal will allow Russian speakers in Europe, which is an important area of development for us, to watch some of the holding's best TV shows in excellent quality."
Marat Devlet-Kildeyev, CTC Media's Head of International Broadcasting: "This is a very important step for us as it creates many opportunities for the further development and promotion of the international version of CTC. Russian-speaking audiences living in Europe, in the Middle East and Central Asia can now enjoy an excellent selection of our TV shows, sitcoms, documentaries and a wide range of other genres and formats. Broadcasting on HOT BIRD has allowed CTC-International to enter the cable and satellite TV markets of the countries covered by the satellite. Due to this CTC-International has already entered the Kazakh market, perfectly complementing the content of our free-to-air Channel 31. I have no doubt that CTC-International will soon gather the loyal viewers because all the programs have been accepted and are loved by Russian viewers and are an example of content of the highest quality."
Philippe Fort, Chief Operating Officer of GlobeCast said, "We are pleased to help CTC-International in its mission to bring quality programming to Russian-speaking audiences around the world. GlobeCast's presence in Russia, broadcast experience -- and worldwide facilities and network -- combined to make us ideally positioned for this crucial role."
