The Russian DTH platform operator Orion has signed a cooperation agreement with Sony Pictures Television Networks.

Under it, Orion will deliver TV signals from Sony’s headquarters in London throughout Russia, distributing them in its Telecard satellite TV packages and also providing them to cable operators.

Starting this March, Orion will employ the Horizons 2 and Express-AM5 satellites to deliver three channels. Sony Sci-Fi, Sony Channel (Sony Entertainment Television) and Sony Turbo will be offered to Telecard subscribers in its Standard and Unlimited packages.

Orion will employ unique technology guaranteeing content delivery over the internet. The main feature is that only HD versions of each channel will be delivered from London to Moscow, with SD versions then be produced at Orion’s playout centre.

The channel Sony Channel (Sony Entertainment Television) will be distributed in Russia in both SD and HD versions, and Sony Sci-Fi and Sony Turbo only in SD.

Commenting on the agreement, Andrey Trufanov, head of the department for the implementation of telecommunications services at Orion, said: “I am glad to say that another major international player has chosen our satellite media platform as a key technical partner in Russia. The channels of the Sony Pictures Television portfolio are traditionally distinguished by high quality content. I am sure that both the operator’s partners and subscribers will appreciate them”.

Sergey Plotnikov, DG of Sony Pictures Television Networks in Russia and the CIS, added: “We highly appreciate the potential of our cooperation with Orion. On the international market the company has established itself as a professional partner capable of promptly solving issues of any complexity related to the production and distribution of TV channels. The level of services provided fully complies with the international standards of the television industry”.