Orion Express launches regional multiplex

Russian DTH provider Orion Express has launched a regional multiplex, providing regional TV channels as part of its offering from the 85° East position.

The multiplex currently provides 10 regional channels – Pervyy Tul’skiy, Yurgan, NTM – Pervyy Yaroslavskiy, Stavropol Regional TV, BST, Kuray , Mir Belogor’ya, 12 Kanal – Omsk, Ekspress and Don – with others to follow.

A number of Russia’s regional TV channels could be threatened with the loss of terrestrial distribution when the country completes digital switchover, leaving satellite and cable as their only viable options.