New Free-to-Air Sports Net in Russia

MOSCOW: A new sports channel is going live in Russia on November 1, called Match TV.

Match TV will have live TV broadcast rights for the majority of first-tier sports events and matches worldwide. This includes Russian soccer and basketball matches, as well as Formula One races, American football, rugby, boxing and more. The channel will also produce a number of its own shows, including news-breaks, weekly reviews, talk shows and reality shows, feature and documentary films and TV series about sports and the lives of athletes. There will also be TV shows on general health, wellness and healthy eating, in which doctors, nutritionists and coaches will share their views and knowledge.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the director general of the Gazprom Media Holding, said: "We are creating a dynamic, cutting-edge and inspiring TV channel which will give the audience a new angle, new perspective on sport, show the strength, determination and energy of athletes that each life story and victory belies. We hope that the channel will win the minds and hearts of our viewers and become a champion of sports and healthy lifestyles.

"It's a fully fledged, cross-platform media outlet, not just a niche, specialty channel. The content will also be made available through a variety of platforms, including web, social media, mobile applications and radio, under the umbrella brand of Match TV."

Tina Kandelaki, the general producer of Match TV, added: "We aim at bringing on air the very spirit of sport, something that captivates spectators at real-life games, to find the right tone of voice…. It is all about relishing every single moment of life here and now, a drive, passion, and—at the same time—some degree of irony…because one can't be totally humorless when it comes to sport. We hope the audience likes that special touch and would never quit."