MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. CNN has submitted an application on obtaining a universal broadcasting license and re-registration, Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor’s press secretary Vadim Ampelonsky told TASS on Tuesday.
Re-registration of the TV channel as media "is in the process of formalization," Ampelonsky said. An application on obtaining a universal license will be considered within 30 days.
CNN stopped broadcasting in Russia on December 31, 2014. In view of the latest changes to Russian legislation regulating the operation of mass media Turner International (owner of CNN) said it was considering alternative opportunities for broadcasting in Russia.
The company did not clarify the exact reason for CNN International’s withdrawal from Russia, but a ban on commercials on pay television came in force from January 1, 2015.
On February 27, executives and shareholders from Turner Broadcasting met with Roskomnadzor’s head Alexander Zharov and agreed on their "mutual interest" in returning CNN to Russia's airwaves.
CNN was broadcast by Russian operators of pay cable and satellite television, including Akado, Vimpelcom, NTV+, and others.