MegaFon says to make START main video service for subscribers

MOSCOW, Apr 15 (PRIME) -- Russian mobile operator MegaFon and founders of video service START, half-owned by MegaFon, plan to merge the service with MegaFon TV, the operator said on Friday in a statement.

“After the merger, video service START will get a new content offer: under a single subscription, original projects will continue to be premiered, Internet broadcasting of a wide range of TV channels will be launched, an offer of foreign films and series will grow significantly,” MegaFon said.

Before 2022, MegaFon had developed for its subscribers two video services – START for original series and films of own make and MegaFon TV as a video marketplace.

News and research agency TelecomDaily General Director Denis Kuskov said that after the deal, START may join the top five online cinemas in the country by revenue.

“In 2021, START’s revenue accounted for 5.5% (of the market of legal video services of the country) and MegaFon TV 1.9%. In total, they had 7.5%. (The merger) will help them grow to some 9%, which will enable them to join the top five services, following Wink,” Kuskov said.

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