International channels face possible Russian ban

The threat of a ban on international channels in Russia has been raised once again after communications and media authority Roscomnadzor said it could forbid foreign cable channels without a valid licence from broadcasting in the country.

Following legislation passed last year, the regulator has clarified the requirements for international channels. Foreign channels must either establish a Russian legal entity registered as a mass media outlet with a broadcast licence or form a partnership with a Russian company that will receive the necessary permits and hold the copyright for the channel’s content in Russia.

Channels have been given a deadline of March 1 to obtain a licence. However, it has reportedly taken between three and six months to obtain such licences in the past.

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