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Putin signs law easing restrictions for commercials on pay TV channels

Lawmakers initially banned advertising on pay TV channels starting January 1, but then amended the law to keep the ban only for channels featuring less than three-quarters of local content

© AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

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MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a federal law easing existing restrictions for advertising on pay television channels, the Kremlin press service said.

The law, adopted by Russia’s State Duma lower house of parliament on January 27 and approved by the Federation Council upper house on January 28, removes the ban on commercials for pay cable and satellite television channels that broadcast at least 75% of Russian content, the Kremlin said.

Lawmakers initially banned advertising on pay TV channels starting January 1, but then amended the law to keep the ban only for channels featuring less than three-quarters of local content.

The new law will add a new term to legislation — "national media products" — meaning products created by Russian individuals or companies, under contracts with Russian media outlets, or with upwards of 50% of funding provided by Russian investors.

Compliance with these regulations will be monitored by the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service.

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Vladimir Putin Russia's domestic policy

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