CTC Media To Launch CTC-International Channel In Germany

MOSCOW, March 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CTC Media, Inc. ("CTC Media" or "the Company") (Nasdaq:CTCM), Russia's leading independent media company, announces the launch of the CTC-International channel ("CTC-International") in Germany. CTC Media has signed an exclusive agreement to distribute the CTC-International channel via the Kartina TV IPTV network, with a one-year right to sublicense it to other IPTV networks across the territories of most European countries.

CTC-International is now available in three countries, following the channel's December 2009 launch in the USA and its June 2009 launch in Israel on the Yes satellite platform and the HOT cable network. The potential audience of CTC-International in all current territories of operations is approximately 15 million viewers. The international version of CTC combines the most successful and exciting programming of all three CTC Media channels – CTC, Domashny and DTV – with a broad range of high quality content, including series, sitcoms, drama, comedy and music entertainment TV shows.

Anton Kudryashov, Chief Executive Officer of CTC Media, commented: "We operate in a highly competitive environment and are constantly searching for new ways to expand our business. The launch of the international version of CTC in countries with a considerable number of Russian-speaking viewers, along with regional expansion in Russia and the CIS, is an important part of our strategy. We expect a high level of demand for our product in Germany, taking into account Kartina's low subscription fee and high pay-TV penetration in Germany."

Viacheslav Sinadski, Chief Strategy Officer of CTC Media, commented: "The launch of CTC-International in Germany is the first step in implementing on our expansion strategy in Europe. The distribution of CTC-International via the Kartina TV IPTV network is just the beginning, as there are approximately 5 million potential Russian-speaking viewers in Germany, providing plenty of scope for further development. We are therefore also considering options for distribution of CTC-International through cable and satellite networks. Our further plans include expanding into Canada as well as broadening our footprint across Europe."