Russia’s business RBC-TV in free-to-air deal with Hot Bird 6

Eutelsat Communications and RBC-TV, the Russian business television channel, announced a five year contract for lease of capacity on the Hot Bird 6 television satellite for free-to-air broadcasting over Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

This new agreement illustrates RBC-TV’s objective to reach Russian-speaking
audiences further afield who follow economic, financial, business and political events in Russia.

Three years since its launch on Eutelsat’s W4 satellite, RBC-TV has built strong coverage in Russia‘s main cities, as well as the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and the Baltic countries. Over these regions, the channel is also available via cable networks and the Internet, and has built an estimated audience of almost 53 mln viewers.

“By joining the line-up of close to 500 free-to-air channels broadcasting from the Hot Bird neighbourhood, RBC-TV will be able to reach new target audiences including Russian-speaking residents of foreign countries and foreign citizens who have business ties with Russia”, said Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat’s Commercial Director.

“The launch of RBC-TV on Hot Bird 6 will also enable Russian tourists keep abreast with the latest news in Russian business and economics when travelling abroad”.
RBC-TV also broadcasts business and economic news produced by CNBC and CNN. In addition, RBC TV broadcasts its programs devoted to the Russian business and economy on CNN, and since February 2005 – on CNBC Europe. Other partners of RBC TV include Bloomberg, APTN and Reuters.