Moscow TV Communication Guide
Public
The first 15 channels are free public television (terrestrial broadcasting), but these are entirely in Russian. They are:
- 1 – Perviy Kanal: news, entertainment
- 2 – Rossiya: news, entertainment
- 3 – TV-Tsentr: news, entertainment
- 4 – NTV: entertainment
- 5 – Kultura: history, documentary, culture
- 6 – Sport: sports
- 7 – 7TV: sports
- 8 – STS: entertainment, movies, comedy
- 9 – REN-TV: entertainment
- 10 – DTV: documentary, infotainment
- 11 – TNT: entertainment, comedy
- 12 – TV 3: movies, entertainment
- 13 – MuzTV: Russian music television
- 14 – MTV: MTV Russia
- 15 – Domashniy: home, documentary, classic programming
Cable/Satellite/Other
If you want English language news, movies and entertainment programs, you can choose from a number of antenna, satellite, or internet providers. The availability of packages including internet, home telephone and television channels is steadily increasing.
Kosmos
http://ktv.ru/?newlang=english
Kosmos TV operates on line-of-sight transmission to antennas installed on building roofs. Installation and equipment will cost 2,600 – 5,050 RUR depending on the options you choose, and it can take up to a week or longer to get an installation appointment.
Kosmos offers 70 channels in 12 languages, with programming 24 hours a day. News channels include Euronews, CNN, BBC World, CNBC, Bloomberg, Sky News. International movie channels include Hallmark, Fox Crime and TCM. There are 9 sports channels, documentary and educational channels including Discovery, and 5 children’s channels including Nickelodeon and Fox Kids. Adult channels are also available. Monthly subscription packages depend on the programs included and range from 585 – 1075 RUR monthly.
NTV Plus
http://www.ntvplus.ru/ (Russian only)
NTV Plus requires installation of a small satellite dish. Full installation costs from 8,900 (SD) to 20,550 RUR. (HD). These prices include 1,500 RUR prepay on monthly subscription fees. Installation can take up to 10 business days.
Most expatriates prefer Kosmos programming to NTV Plus, but NTV Plus can be your only option if you cannot receive the Kosmos signal.
Programming options are similar, but some popular channels (such as BBC Prime) are not available. The base channels provided have less quality programming as well. Prices range from 550 RUR for the basic program (69 channels) to 2150 RUR for 114 channels.
Stream Internet TV
Stream Internet TV is also a popular option with expatriates in Moscow, with subscriptions available for up to 80 international channels both in Russian and in the original language, and a menu that you can use to choose the language. It also has many pay-per-view and on-demand programming options.
You will need a modem/router and decoder to set up Internet TV on your television set. You can purchase a router for about 2,000-3,000 RUR. Usually you will need an appointment from a technician to set up Stream TV, which can take two to three weeks. The cost of subscriptions varies substantially because of the a la carte pricing system. A typical base subscription costs 110 – 200 RUR per month.
Television bills are also paid in bill payment machines available in stores, metro stations, underpasses, or simply in the street. Most accept cash only, although you can visit a bank branch to find a machine that accepts credit cards.
