CTC Media Switches Broadcasting Format of Its Russian Channels to MPEG-4
MOSCOW, Oct 30, 2012 (Menafn - GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --CTC Media, Inc. ("CTC Media" or the "Company") CTCM, Russia's leading independent media company, has announced a switch to broadcasting in the MPEG-4 format.
CTC Media has completed converting the TV signal of the CTC (feeds:0)(feeds:2)(feeds:4)(feeds:7), Peretz (feeds:0)(feeds:2)(feeds:7) and Domashny (feeds:0)(feeds:2)(feeds:4)(feeds:7) channels to MPEG-4. The channels were previously broadcast using the MPEG-2 format.
Satellite fleet used for the uplink of the CTC Media's television channels was also modified as part of the project. Capacity previously leased from Russian satellites was transferred to the new Intelsat 15 and Horizons 2 foreign satellites. As well as increasing the signal reception quality, the following failsafe mechanism is also now in place: the new satellites are in almost the same orbit, which means that if one of the satellites fails, receiving antennas will not require repositioning.
Sergey Petrov, Chief Broadcasting Officer of CTC Media: "CTC Media is continuing to follow its strategy as the leader in implementing new technologies. The switch to the new broadcasting format is the next stage after launching our modernized broadcasting playout facility in July last year and provides us with the technological capability to switch to digital broadcasting at anytime if necessary. We were able to complete this project in only four months. During this time, extensive work was carried out, requiring cooperation with our regional stations comprising 154 broadcasting facilities, and our partner network -- 281 broadcasting facilities".
Anton Gavrin, IT and TV Technology Department Director: "We continued broadcasting in both the old MPEG-2 and new MPEG-4 formats while the switch was made. During the project, broadcasting from the new satellites was started, landlines to signal amplification centers were laid and the compression equipment at the TV center was reconfigured. Receivers were supplied and configured at our regional stations and partner network, and our own regional network and partner networks were reconfigured. The new signal compression format will help us optimize expenditure on regional TV broadcasting thanks to the more efficient use of satellite capacity. Furthermore, we were also able to improve the reliability of the signal".
About CTC Media, Inc.
CTC Media is a leading independent media company in Russia, with operations throughout Russia and in a number of other CIS markets. It operates three free-to-air television networks in Russia -- CTC, Domashny and Peretz -- as well as Channel 31 in Kazakhstan and a TV company in Moldova, with a combined potential audience of over 150 million people. The international pay-TV version of the CTC channel is available in North America, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central and South East Asia. CTC Media also has its own TV content production capabilities through its Story First Production subsidiary. The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "CTCM". For more information about CTC Media, please visit www.ctcmedia.ru
The CTC Media, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9587
Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release that are not based on historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statement regarding our ability to optimize expenditure on our regional broadcasting, ability to switch to digital broadcasting, should it be introduced in Russia, etc. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CTC Media to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ from those expressed by forward-looking statements include, among others, the implementation of legislation; the Company's ability to deliver audience share, particularly in primetime, to its advertisers; free-to-air television remaining a significant advertising forum; and restrictions on foreign involvement in television business abroad. These and other risks are described in the "Risk Factors" sections of CTC Media's quarterly report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2012.
Other unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on CTC Media's future results, performance or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed herein may not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. CTC Media does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE: CTC Media, Inc.
(Logo:http://media.primezone.com/cache/8602/int/10406.jpg)
CONTACT: For further information, please visit www.ctcmedia.ru
or contact:
Ekaterina Ostrova
Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
7 495 783 3650
ir@ctcmedia.ru
Irina Klimova
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
7 495 981 0740
ir@ctcmedia.ru
Viktoriya Bakaeva
Head of Media Relations, Press Secretary
7 495 785 6347
pr@ctcmedia.ru
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