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Azerbaijan, Baku
Russia's technical contract on mutual broadcasting of TV channels has been submitted to the Azerbaijan National Television & Radio Council(NTRC), a member of the working group on mutual broadcasting of Azerbaijani and Russian TV channels, Gafar Jabiyev, reported on 24 September.
"After we become familiar with the contract from Russia we will respond," Jabiyev said.
During the meeting of the Council held at the beginning of January it was decided to terminate the translation of the Russian ORT and RTR-Planeta channels, as well as the Turkish STV channel, in Azerbaijan. Broadcasting of ORT was stopped on 10 July, and broadcasting of RTR-Planeta was extended, after Russia applied to Azerbaijan but on the condition that an Azerbaijani TV channel would be broadcast in Russia. The working groups dealing with the case of mutual broadcasting have held two meetings and the initial project on mutual broadcasting has been coordinated. Technical contracts were developed to achieve mutual agreements. Azerbaijan presented its options 2 months ago. The chairman of NTRC repeatedly stated that in case a common agreement was not achieved, broadcasting of Russian RTR-Planeta channel via Azerbaijani national frequency would be suspended.
Azerbaijan considers the coverage area of Azerbaijani AzTV in Russia should be on par with the coverage area of RTR-Planeta in Azerbaijan.
Jabiyev did not release the details of the technical contract. He noted the contract indicates terms of broadcasting and payment. According to him, the contract is being considered at the Azerbaijan Communications and IT Ministry, Azerbaijan Justice Ministry, and AzTV channel. The responses on the contract will be submitted to the First Deputy Prime Minister, Yagub Eyyubov. The next meeting of the working groups will be set afterwards.
(Source: Zacharias Liangas, Greece via Cumbre DX)
