What Russian channels appeared this year. — Will cable TV services become more expensive? Why does analogue die?

Since there is less than a week left until the hour “X”, we turned to a media expert for clarification on the current situation in the media space.

— Alexander, what changes are planned from January 1 in the Ukrainian television business?

On January 1, Bill No. 3504 “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Television and Radio Broadcasting” comes into force in Ukraine (regarding clarification of the conditions for distributing programs of television and radio organizations as part of the universal software service)" And .

Thus, from the new year, agreements between cable operators and media groups become purely commercial. The changes apply ONLY to providers/operators and do not in any way affect terrestrial and satellite TV!

- As a common man in simple words explain what changes the law makes in his life?

Until January 1, 2017, the law of Ukraine is to rebroadcast on its network all TV channels that are on analogue air. Depending on the region, the number of TV channels varied from 10 to 14-18. Payment was taken only for the technical delivery of the signal, but not for the channels themselves. From the cable company’s side, this looked like an “obligation” to rebroadcast what was on the air for free. Now, starting from the New Year, the operator/provider must have ONLY state channels, public TV channels, and local ones on its network. Relations with all other channels are purely commercial. So loud statements that they are turning off all TV channels and only THREE channels will remain are an incorrect interpretation of the law and escalating the situation. There are more than 60 Ukrainian TV channels in Ukraine that work with cable companies. The viewer will not be left without all television. I repeat, we're talking about exclusively about cable TV, IPTV. This law does not regulate broadcasting and satellite!

— Will cable TV services become more expensive?

At the beginning of December, the media groups were, when concluding contracts in December of this year:

• 1+1 media(6 channels: “1+1”, “2+2”, “TET”, “PlusPlus”, “Unian TV” and “Curler”) - 0.75 UAH per 1 subscriber per month.
• StarLightMedia(6 channels: “STB”, “ICTV”, “ New channel", "QTV", "M1" and "M2") - 0.75 UAH per 1 subscriber per month. The offer is valid until January 1, from January 1 the distribution cost will be 1.5 UAH per subscriber.
• "Media Group Ukraine"(3 channels: “Ukraine”, “NLO TV” and “Indigo TV”) - 0.45 UAH per 1 subscriber per month.
• Inter Media Group(9 channels: “Inter”, “NTN”, “Mega”, “Enter-film”, “Pixel”, “K1”, “K2”, “Zoom” and “EuroNews”) - 3 UAH per 1 subscriber per month .
• Channel 5– 0.10 UAH per 1 subscriber per month.

During negotiations, as a rule, the price decreases and the result is 2.5-3 UAH per subscriber.

If there are agreements to include the channels of all media groups in the offer, cable TV may or may not become more expensive. It all depends on the current price, the margin of the provider’s business and its personal capabilities. If the price goes up, it will be 5-10-15 hryvnia for the basic, cheapest package. I’ll tell you a very unpopular truth for consumers: both the Internet and TV in Ukraine live at prices in 2013, when the exchange rate was 8 UAH per dollar. Since a large component in the business of television and telecom providers is import (content, equipment...), an increase in the price of services is inevitable; no one will work at a disadvantage. With the help of media groups, without their help, cable TV and the Internet would sooner or later become more expensive. Well, everything in the country cannot become more expensive except TV and the Internet.

— Can a provider disable the channels of one of the media groups?

Of course it can. There are about 60 TV channels in Ukraine that work with providers. Commerce is about agreements and the search for compromises. Some agreed, others were not satisfied with the conditions. Open the list of TV channels of your provider and see if there is, for example, the channel “Televsesvit” or “Trophy” or “Malyatko TV”. After all, these are existing channels, with a license, with satellite broadcasting, with programs. If you don’t have any of these TV channels on your network, we haven’t reached an agreement. The same story can happen with the TV channels of media groups. Consider that we have five of them. On January 1, for example, the channels of one of the groups may disappear from the cable network. They may well. This means that your operator did not agree. This means that other channels will take their place. Fortunately, there are more offers on the market than the capabilities of (analog) networks. Statements that are being circulated in the media that Ukrainians will be left without TV altogether are not true. IN cable networks, but not all channels. In the networks, the provider will be forced to rebroadcast the following channels: First National, Culture, Rada, Regional TV channels, local ones. Everyone should have access to these broadcasters by default. To channels that operate on a commercial basis - only for money. This is the practice throughout the civilized world.

— What should a cable TV subscriber do if their favorite channels are turned off?

I hope it doesn’t come to this, and the copyright holders will come to an agreement with the providers. Fortunately, things are moving, and market players are entering into dialogue and reaching agreements among themselves.

After January 1, with the entry into force of the Law, you either need to pay for channels or turn them off and not violate the law and rights:

• your cable operator did not reach an agreement and was forced to turn off the main Ukrainian TV channels on its network;
• your cable operator has not reached an agreement with all media groups, there are fewer channels, subscription fee will increase;
• your cable operator has reached an agreement with all media groups and the subscription fee for cable TV will become significantly higher from January 1.

If such a force majeure event occurs and the TV channels are turned off, then there are several options for the consumer:

• disconnect from cable TV in general (books, theater, cinema, Internet, sports - much more useful than TV);
• connect to competitors who have agreed and pay them;
• install terrestrial antenna and watch TV channels of media groups in analogue quality or in digital quality through the T2 set-top box - FREE;
• install satellite dish and watch TV channels of media groups for FREE;
• connect via the Internet to one of the legal Internet TV television services (Megogo, Oll.TV, Divan.TV, Trinity TV, Starcards.TV) and pay them.

In any case, viewers will not be left without TV with the work of Kazimir Malevich in any of the options. If a viewer, a consumer, believes that he should not pay for TV, he has the opportunity not to watch TV, not to use the services of multi-channel networks and not to pay for what he does not want. There is always a free, stripped-down alternative.

Only 29% of Russians choose to watch TV programs as entertainment in their free time, while among pensioners 56% spend their leisure time watching TV. In the age group from 18 to 24 years old there are less than 10%

Photo: Roman Yarovitsyn / Kommersant

​Russians still spend a lot of free time on household chores, children and dachas, but they began to watch less TV and spend more time walking, chatting with friends, pursuing hobbies and playing games. computer games, says a study by VTsIOM dedicated to answering the question of how the country’s residents spend their leisure time. The results of the study are at the disposal of RBC.

Sociologists have found that leisure activities have changed significantly over the past decade, with particularly dramatic changes occurring over the past seven years, from 2010 to 2017.

For example, only 29% devote their free time to watching TV and listening to the radio. Just seven years ago, 63% of citizens spent their free time this way. Television is still popular among pensioners: those who watch TV as a leisure activity make up 56% of people of retirement age, but only 8% of respondents aged 18 to 24 years old. ​

At the same time, the number of outdoor recreation lovers has doubled: from 17% in 2010 to 34% in 2017. The share of those engaged in home hobbies (handicrafts, photography, modeling, etc.) more than doubled, from 11% to 26%, respectively.

​Russian citizens spend more and more free time on computers and Internet surfing. The share of those who gave this answer to sociologists increased from 5% in 2005 to 21% in 2017, and among citizens aged 18-24 years old this share today is 44%.

“Russians began to spend less free time on activities that do not require their active participation and more on activities that require high involvement(communication with family, playing sports, using the Internet, hobbies). The value of family is growing - citizens are ready to give it more and more of their time,” says VTsIOM analyst Ivan Lekontsev.

According to VTsIOM, more and more Russians are devoting their free time to children, housework and dachas. In 2005, this figure was 40%, and in 2017 - already 60%.

The sociologist also noted the growing popularity of outdoor walks and sports. According to Lekontsev, this may be partly due to the conditional freeness of these types of recreation, partly due to the growth in the interest of Russians in sports and healthy image life.

The VTsIOM telephone survey was conducted on November 20-21, 2017, and included 1,200 Russians aged 18 years and older.

From January 2019, Russia will completely switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting. To avoid being faced with a black screen, Russians need to get a TV that supports the DVBT-2 digital broadcasting standard, or a special set-top box for an analog TV.

At a meeting in the Federation Council dedicated to the modernization of television broadcasting in the Russian Federation, the director of the department of state policy in the field of media of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications, Ekaterina Larina, announced: federal television channels will soon begin to tell viewers about Russia’s transition from January 2019 to analogue television- to digital broadcasting.

Digital terrestrial television broadcasting, recalls Prime, will take place over a network that includes two multiplexes (packages of TV channels) of 10 channels each, as well as three radio channels, and will be available to more than 98% of the population. Analog TV is planned to be turned off after the New Year holidays. "Very important task, which we have been doing in collaboration with local authorities for more than six months - the task is to inform the population, to explain how to connect to digital. An active information campaign is already underway in all regions and will soon be launched on federal channels explanatory campaign,” noted Ekaterina Larina.

She noted that, for example, if the TV only receives analog signal, the letter “A” appears on the screen next to the TV company logo. This will make it clear to the viewer that he needs to change the TV or purchase digital set-top box, supporting the DVBT-2 standard.

Progress does not stand still, and if we want to keep up with the times, we must be able to adapt, says political scientist, vice-president of the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Politics Alexander Karas. According to him, it is obvious that for the vast majority of the population these changes will not bring any inconvenience, but on the contrary, they will add comfort: the choice of channels will increase, it will become better quality pictures and sound. In addition, most large cities have already switched to digital format and their residents will not notice any changes.

But we should not forget, the expert says, that residents of rural settlements remain at risk, especially older people who are accustomed to the traditional way of life and do not want to give up their attachments. Therefore, it is very important here to give them maximum attention, to help them understand the technical intricacies, so that at one moment they do not feel on the sidelines of life.

It is not necessary to buy a new expensive TV; you can limit yourself to purchasing a set-top box of the appropriate format, which is much cheaper, adds Alexander Karas. Therefore in in this case the main thing is to properly organize the work of volunteers who will help residents of the outback to understand new trends. By the way, Ekaterina Larina also stated that such a service already exists.

Citizen with two bags

Russia is approaching a period when quality digital television with high accuracy of image transmission will be available to every citizen, no matter where he lives, continues the topic, director of the Veta expert group Dmitry Zharsky. After switching off broadcasting from analogue TV, the coverage area in the country will reach 98%, which will become the most large network digital broadcasting in the world. For comparison: in some European cities such a network covers from 90% to 95% of broadcasts.

Plans for digitalization of broadcasting have existed since 2009, the expert adds that it was then that this strategy was adopted for execution. If we evaluate it objectively, now in almost every locality In Russia, regardless of geographical location and distance from the centers of civilization, 20 TV channels will be available to viewers. The first package (10 channels) will include: Channel 1, Russia 1, Match TV, NTV, Channel 5 Petersburg, Culture, Russia 24, Karusel, OTR, TV Center. The second multiplex or package of channels is more tuned to a young audience and its main function is entertainment and educational, it includes familiar channels such as: Ren TV, Spas, STS, Domashny, Friday, Zvezda, Mir, TNT, Muz-TV.

WITH technical side There is no particular reason to fear that the launch of digital TV throughout the country will be interrupted, Dmitry Zharsky is sure. In fact, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network” (RTRS) actually has almost all regions ready to work with the new format. On this moment the first multiplex is already operating in most of the country. The network has been established in 83 out of 85 regions, 13 communication transmission facilities remain to be built on the territory of the annexed Crimea. If we talk about quantity, now 5015 of the 5028 necessary transmitters can already operate on the air.

It is also important to note, says Dmitry Zharsky, that the transition to digital and active work RTRS, in cooperation with the authorities to inform citizens, can reduce the level of sales of such digital television operators as, for example, Tricolor TV, which is very popular in the regions and has been providing quite affordable service on digital television.

Of course, channel packages in Tricolor number in the hundreds; almost any “assortment” is available there. But the analyst believes that there will be no need for it, since most users connected it to watch the most popular channels, which can now be watched for free by only updating the TV once or purchasing a set-top box, which costs no more than 700 rubles at retail. The cost of a TV that accepts this format starts from 5.5 thousand rubles.

This analyst's remark seems very important. In no case should it be interpreted negatively in relation to Tricolor and any other TV signal providers, such as the pioneer in this area NTV+ with its first “dishes”. The point is that, along with the availability of high-quality television in places where it was not previously available, satellite and digital operators offer a wide range of TV channel packages to suit all tastes. Their purchase by TV viewers brings suppliers additional income. But with the availability of state-owned “terrestrial digital TV” (by the way, what this is still needs to be explained), some TV viewers may prefer the free availability of two multiplexes to the opportunity to watch beyond their scope, including foreign TV content.

The transition to digital TV may be perceived negatively by part of the population with low level income, adds Alena Kuzmina, head of the legal department of WebKontrol, so a very smooth and gradual transition is needed here (and not a simultaneous shutdown of citizens’ access to analog TV). With the introduction of the anti-piracy law, she points out, we are now seeing a potential increase in the consumption of legal content among Russian users.

An increasing number of the population is willing to pay for content, she notes, since, for example, according to recent studies, the size of the market for online video services is growing. It takes certain time but in the end it shows positive results. The joint fight of copyright holders against piracy also leads to an increase in the consumption of legal content. So the changes are positive from the point of view of content rights holders, she believes.

MOSCOW, November 21 – RIA Novosti. A soft transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting is what awaits Russians in the foreseeable future, experts told RIA Novosti on World Television Day, which is celebrated on Tuesday, November 21.

Official transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting in Russia should happen in 2018. Initially, it was planned to form three multiplexes (a package of channels broadcast by one transmitter). The first digital TV multiplex has been operating since 2009 and is free (includes channels such as “First”, “Russia-1”, NTV). The second multiplex (STS, TNT, Zvezda, REN-TV) has been broadcasting since 2013. The launch of the third multiplex has been postponed for now: earlier, the head of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications, Nikolai Nikiforov, expressed an opinion about its economic inexpediency.

At the end of October this year CEO Andrei Romanchenko reported to the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS) company that the creation of a digital television network in Russia is almost complete.

Analog won't go away right away.

Today in Russia there are two formats of television broadcasting - digital and analogue signal transmission, which is gradually becoming a thing of the past. As the head of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications noted earlier, after 2018 the state will no longer support analogue broadcasting.

“Now digital terrestrial television is already available to more than 95% of the Russian population. According to the results of the federal target program coverage will be 98.4%,” Igor Stepanov, head of the RTRS press service, told RIA Novosti.

He explained that regional, city and municipal television channels will be able to continue broadcasting in analogue format for as long as they deem appropriate.

“Digital receivers (TVs and set-top boxes) receive and display both digital and analog programs,” the agency’s source said.

Russian journalist, president of the National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters Eduard Sagalayev, in turn, noted that this will be a “rather soft transition.”

“It will not happen that all analogue broadcasting will suddenly stop,” he explained to RIA Novosti.

Sagalayev emphasized that digital technology gives a completely different quality of television picture and sound.

“This is such a new stage in the development of the television industry,” the agency’s interlocutor is convinced.

What to do with an old TV

According to Sagalayev, in Russia today there are more than 60 million televisions, of which more than 30 million are new generation televisions that allow you to watch smart TV, the so-called “smart television.” There are also TVs that allow you to watch video in 4K format, that is, ultra-high definition video.

The Federation Council proposed paying for the transition to digital television for the poorTelevision is the most important means of information and cultural support, which should be available to everyone, regardless of income, said Senator Lyudmila Bokova.

"All televisions that are produced in last years, adapted to receive digital television,” he noted.

Owners of older TV models will also be able to receive digital signal However, this will require additional equipment.

"People who have old TV(without built-in DVB-T2 tuner), for receiving digital terrestrial television it is necessary to purchase a set-top box, strictly speaking, external tuner. The cost of the set-top box is from 600 rubles and above, depending on the manufacturer and on additional options", Igor Stepanov, head of the RTRS press service, explained to RIA Novosti.

Urban looking for a button

Regional television will also have a place in the digital future, although for now only on cable networks.

“Unfortunately, the first and second multiplexes do not yet include regional television, and this is a problem that we are constantly resolving with the government and the State Duma. And last year the law on the so-called “21st button” was adopted, which legalized that in all cable networks, without exception, there will be a regional channel on the 21st “button”. A competition was held by Roskomnadzor, and as a result, this 21st “button” appeared in most regions. This makes it easier for regional television to penetrate the “cables” , - said Sagalaev.

Sagalayev noted that the issue of a similar provision of the “22nd button” to city television and radio broadcasters is currently being resolved; a corresponding bill has been prepared.

“There is quite a lot of resistance from the “cable guys”, because this is not profitable for them. They say that, if desired, the subscriber can configure his own remote control and watch what he wants on any “button”. And, in general, this has some truth. Let's see how this initiative is implemented. According at least“The National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters, which I represent, supports this idea,” the agency’s interlocutor added.

On November 13, 2017, Mediascope (formerly TNS) presented the results of a study of television audiences in Russia to World Content Market 2017 market participants, and also presented a map of the television market. The data demonstrates several interesting trends related to the popularity of certain genres and types of content among different age groups and the stable patriotism of TV viewers.

According to Mediascope data on national TV, 99% of Russians living in cities with a population of over 100 thousand people turn on the TV at least once a month, about 90% per week, and 69% per day.

The figure varies between cities, but on average it corresponds to the general indicators. It is interesting that, for example, in St. Petersburg the average daily coverage is lower than in other cities. This confirms the opinion that residents of the cultural capital prefer to spend their free time away from home.

Not only the average daily coverage varies by city, but also the viewing time. On average, all Russian viewers over 4 years old watch TV 4 hours a day, but the figure varies depending on the age category. For example, viewers from 4 to 17 years old spend less time watching (2 hours). The older the group, the more time it takes to watch (up to 6 hours). This is likely a logical indication that younger viewers are watching more content on other devices.

The television market map from Mediascope is a graph with the increasing percentage of women among the total number of viewers on the horizontal axis, and the increasing percentage of women among the total number of viewers on the vertical axis. average age channel audience. Each point on the graph is a channel, and the larger its size, the higher the audience share. Accordingly, the further to the right it is located, the more women there are among the audience, and the higher it is, the older the audience.

It is interesting that in the “big three” (Channel 1, Russia 1, NTV), the NTV channel stands out as more “masculine”, and “Russia 1” is more “senior”. The combined share of the three channels is more than 35% of all TV viewers over 4+. However, the rate varies within age groups. Interestingly, in 2008 the share of the top three television leaders was 50%, but since then there has been a fragmentation of the audience.

The audience of the STS and NTV television channels is noticeably younger, and the REN television channel is more male. The total share of the TOP 10 TV channels is about 65%. Top 50 channels - 90% of viewers.

The top 50 channels among all viewers are depicted in the following graph, but again within age groups the picture changes.

It is logical that among the rating channels for viewers 4-17 years old there are no “ big three». Yellow The graph shows affinity channels, that is, characteristic of a given audience. (Affinity Index, or Compliance Index, denotes the ratio of the rating according to target audience to the rating for the base audience, and shows the “profile” of the content in relation to the given target audience).

For the age group 18-34 years old musical and entertainment channels- Affinitive.

In the 35-54 age group, the big three return, but in a different order than in the graph that takes into account all viewers. Here Channel One comes to the fore. Affinity channels for viewers in this category show movies, educational programs and travel.

For the older group, large national channels and the Big Three are the most affinitive.

Genres

Mediascope analyzed TV viewing data for national channels by genre preferences. An interesting trend is noticeable here: the greatest demand among viewers is for series: on average, 24% of the TV market is occupied by series, while supply is lower than demand. The total demand for TV series and entertainment programs is more than 50%.

The indicators for channels are fundamentally different, as the graph below demonstrates, but the percentage of serial and entertainment content remains significant across different TV channels.

The largest group is the age audience. The company analyzed the most popular TV series within each group. It’s interesting that within the categories, the Top 3 series belong to one channel.

Mediascope also analyzed which genres are preferred by which age groups. Viewers aged 4-34 years old most like comedies, older audiences (35-54 years old) choose dramas, and the oldest ones prefer melodramas. It is interesting that in the group of 4-17 years old there is one drama - this is “Catherine II. Takeoff". The series brought together grandmothers and their grandchildren in front of the screen.

No foreign series made it into the Top 3 for any age group—the ratings of domestic series are, as a rule, higher. Having separately analyzed foreign content, the company found that for three age groups top line occupied by the series "Sherlock". If for groups 18-34 years old and 35-54 years old the first two series are the same, then in third position are different series aired on the TV-3 channel. IN senior group Turkish, Latin and Indian TV series traditionally remain popular.

The highest-rated films shown on television in 2017 were “” (Russia 1), “Officers” (Channel One), “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears” (Channel One). All Top 3 films were released in holidays. “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears” traditionally finds itself in the ratings of the most popular films on TV.

By age group, the situation is different: if in the group 4-17 years old and 18-34 years old, all films are foreign, then in the older groups Russian films predominate. Channel One traditionally shows the film "" in early January, annually collecting a large number of spectators different ages at the screens.

The Top 100 films for all ages included many Soviet films, among which the earliest is “Spring on Zarechnaya Street” from 1956. At the same time, only 10 foreign-made films were included in the rating.

We can conclude that the TV audience remains very patriotic, but again, with the fragmentation of the audience, the picture changes.