Russia: MGTS To Drop Viacom Channels, Including Nickelodeon

The Moscow-based fixed operator MGTS is reportedly planning to stop offering numerous foreign channels in its residential pay-TV offer from Tuesday 27th December 2016. The list of international channels that MGTS will drop from its line-up will include many Viacom channels, including Nickelodeon Russia (Россия; SD- and HD-version), Nick Jr., MTV Dance, MTV Hits, MTV Live HD, MTV Rocks, VH1 European and VH1 Classic.

Instead, the operator plans to offer subscribers TV channels such as Bridge TV, Bridge TV Dance, Bridge TV Classic and the Russian channel Muz.TV.

The news follows a Russian law introduced in January 2016 that limits foreign ownership of media, ordering media companies, including Viacom, to have no more than 20 percent foreign ownership. The legislation was allegedly needed to prevent "foreign meddling" and its patriotic undertones forced international media groups to relinquish Russian assets or leave the once-booming market altogether. To prepare for the new law, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Russia entered into a partnership with Legacy Media so that the business complies with the amended Russian Mass Media Law. The joint venture between VIMN and Legacy operates the 12 pay TV channels in Russia.

Original source: Telecompaper.

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