Bashkortostan is ready to launch interactive digital TV

The news-conference, held by the news-agency “Bashinform” on Wednesday, was devoted to introduction of interactive digital TV in our Republic and it was organized by the Republican TV-channel “BST’ and the federal operator of interactive digital TV “RIKOR TV”.

The Director of the TV-company “Bashkortostan” Galim Yakupov, the head of “BST” development department Azamat Timirgazin, the deputy General Director of “RIKOR TV” Michael Fastovets and the deputy commercial director Glebe Gilinsky came to have a talk with journalists.

According to Michael Fastovets “BST” is the official partner of “RIKOR TV” in Bashkortostan and the first in the country TV-channel, on the base of which the interactive digital TV is to be launched on the territory of the whole region.

“Interactive TV is the Russian design and with its help TV-watchers can communicate with the TV-presenters, take part in the polls and receive references in live air” – Michael Fastovets said – “In order to start the project in Bashkortostan we will open additional workplaces and intend to open the representative office of “RIKOR TV” in Ufa.

Michael Fastovets underscored that “we don’t sell channels but offer interactive services”.

There are about 30 providers of cable TV in Bashkortostan now and they also face the aim to turn to the digital TV format and according to the federal program “Development of TV-radio broadcasting in 2009-2015” all Russian regions have to start using the new format by 2015.

As Galim Yakupov said, thanks to cooperation with “RIKOR TV” the Republican TV will be able to start digital broadcasting in the nearest future due to introduction of the equipment for converting the TV-signal to MPEG-4. The federal operator provides everything necessary for that.

“Our equipment has no analogues in the world” – Micahel Fastovets stated – “the plant in Arzamas produces the digital tuners – about 30 units monthly and the cost of one tuner is 8,5 thousand rubles. In the nearest future we will be able to supply all TV-watchers with these units”.

As it is known “BST” broadcasts in Bashkir, Tatar, Russian and other languages and its air consists of more than 50 programs of different genres and directions about politics, economics, culture, art, social sphere plus the entertaining and interactive projects. For the users of “BST” the package of “RIKOR” services is free – 29 channels.

“RIKOR TV” is the federal provider of interactive services “Active TV” for the operators of satellite, cable and air TV. Per se this is the holding of innovational technologies, specializing in TV services. At present time “RIKOR TV” renders the services “Active TV” on the base of satellite and cable broadcasting of 52 channels, including one HD-channel.

In the nearest future the interactive digital TV will be launched in Bashkortostan in test mode and beginning from September 1, 2010 it will be launched into full operation.