Tricolor TV to transition to ‘open’ hybrid platform with Far East launch

Russian pay TV operator Tricolor TV is to realign its service on a hybrid model including on-demand services and a new brand. The new look service will kick off with a launch in the Russian Far East, where Tricolor TV has not been available until now.

Tricolor TV said it would transition its model to become a ‘digital lifestyle’ operator based on offering entertainment and other services, including third-party offerings.

The company plans to adopt new branding its new offering, dropping the TV from its name to market its services as Tricolor.

Alexei Kholodov

Tricolor TV has already launched a number of non-linear services as part of the new strategy. However, the complete integrated offering will be marketed first in the Russian Far East. This will include a TV offering of over 200 channels delivered both via satellite and the internet, as well as an expanded range of non-linear services. A new flagship ‘Best of TV’ service will made popular content, including series, available on-demand alongside the Kinozaly movies on-demand service. The new-look service will include seven-day catch-up and re-start functionality.

The Tricolor service will be available for RUB2,000 (€30) a year.

Tricolor TV parent National Satellite Company has leased capacity from Eutelsat on the Express-AT2 satellite at 140° East for the launch. It will provide the service to subscribers in the Far East via a new HEVC-compatible internet-connected set-top box.

Tricolor TV CEO Alexei Kholodov told the ComNews website that the new service would be rolled out across other Russian regions progressively as this would involve a hardware upgrade for existing subscribers.