As Interfax.ru reports, on the websites of TV channels like CTC, Perets (Pepper), Domashny (Home) within CTC Media Holding, and on videomore.ru portal there was launched a new project. Actually the viewers can enjoy free online cinema services. According to Alexei Pivovarov, Director of Trans Media Products, the free access to that new service is justified, as it is more customary now for a Russian viewer. In the future the company, however, plans to provide other models of content consumption.
By the end of this year СТС Media plans to amplify the library of movies available for online viewing from 50 to 90, and next year up to 120 by making use of services of the American company Paramount.
The monetization of online cinema is suggested through an advertising model. The company plans to spread online project to the platforms like mobile, smart TV, where the access to content will be paid.
CTC Media, being one of the largest Russian media holdings, has taken one more step towards achieving the objective. According to Yuliana Slashcheva, Chief Executive Officer of the Holding, the company’s strategy aims at CTC Media’s availability on all existing platforms and in all environments.
Eighteen months ago the company set a course for the diversification of earnings, and primarily for the growth of profits derived from selling digital projects.
CTC Media Holding earned a little over USD 711 million last year, what is 15% less than in 2013. The lion’s share of this amount represents the income of CTC TV channel – a little over USD 499 million. Despite of the TV channel’s income growth in rubles by 2% compared with 2013 and totalling RUR 19,08 billion, it decreased by 15% in dollar terms, the same as the Holding’s consolidated income.
CTC Media Holding owns TV channels like CTC, Perets, Domashny, CTC Love channel available via satellite and cable network, as well as media resources in Moldova and Kazakhstan.
The company’s main shareholders include the Swedish company ModernTimesGroup with almost 38% of the Holding’s shares and the Cyprian company Telcrest with 25% of shares. The last one belongs indirectly to the Rossiya Bank owned by Yuriy Kovalchuk. Near 37% of shares are floating and traded by the American Stock Exchange Nasdaq.
