ftm Media Sleuth

The Real Terrible TV Launched in Russia

Michael Hedges and ftm Media Sleuth Maxim Kunin September 7, 2006

October 1st a new entertainment channel – The Real Terrible TV – will launch in Russia. Its founders say it's “an original format, nothing is similar in Russia or the world.”

The new channel is a joint venture of Russian companies Art Media Group and Servincom.

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day The Real Terrible TV will show art films, documentaries and serials all with a common theme – black humor. Broadcasts will be available in Russia, the CIS countries and the Baltics via satellite LMI-1.

The Real Terrible TV’s programming will feature horror films as well as “cheerful horrors.” Also featured will be Japanese “horror” animation. 

“The Real Terrible TV is to entertain, to frighten and to make laughs,” said Art Media Groups executive producer Igor Zolotarevsky. “On the channel there will be the best horror films, the best selection of black humor and documentaries about blood chilling historical events.”

Company sales manager Irina Cheblokova, with great optimism, said “Research in the Russian TV market has shown that this niche is open. This is our first joint project but we hope for more creative developments.”

Since 2004 Art Media Group has launched two other channels - documentary channel 24 Dock and comedy channel The Real Ridiculous TV. Both are available to NTV Plus cable subscribers. The company expects 500 to 800 thousand viewers.

Zolotarevsky said he’s “categorically” opposed to advertising on the channels because “viewers pay with their subscriptions.” Anyway, Russian advertisers continue to shy away from cable and satellite channels because measuring that audience is difficult.

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