Satellite Communication Failure Interrupts TV Broadcasts in Russian Far East

Broadcasting of several TV channels has been suspended in the Russian Far East because communication with the Yamal-200 satellite was broken down, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported on 6 April.

The Far Eastern centre for Russian TV and radio network (RTRS) in Khabarovsk said the fault had also affected Internet and telephone connections.

The centre explained that the satellite was operated from Moscow and the problem was caused by a failure in the satellite’s “orientation system”.

The interruption in TV and radio broadcasts and other services provided by this satellite was registered at 2314 gmt on 5 April. The centre said that the problem will be dealt with in the next few hours.

Russian RIA Novosti news agency listed channels whose broadcasts had been affected in Maritime and Khabarovsk territories: NTV, Sport, TNT, DTV.

Russian Vesti news channel said its broadcasts in Kamchatka Region had also been affected by the satellite fault.

Sources:

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian 0335 gmt 6 Apr 07

RIA Novosti news agency, Moscow, in Russian 0335 gmt 6 Apr 07

Vesti TV news channel, Moscow, in Russian 0400 gmt 6 Apr 07

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