RTR returns to Latvian pay TV offerings

Russian channel RTR is returning to Latvian service providers’ programming line-ups following a three-month ban imposed by regulator the National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP). 

Service providers Lattelecom and Baltcom have said they will reinstate the channel to their respective line-ups.

Lattelecom had aired movie channel K2 in place of RTR for the duration of the ban. The operator said K2 had attracted an audience of 250,000 a week and established a place in the top 15 channels on the platform. Lattelecom also launched a number of new news channels – Ukraine’s Espreso TV and Inter+, Russian independent channel Dozhd, CNN International and BBC World – to its line-up. The operator said it would restore RTR to its IPTV and DTT services.

Baltcom said it would restore the channel to its basic digital line-up. Baltcom said the service was one of the most popular channels for soap operas and movies on its platform.