80% of radio programs in Russia are private owned

2,033 radio programs were registered in the territory of Russia as of June 1, 2002, of which 1,601 (80%) are private owned. Deputy Media Minister Andrei Romanchenko announced this information at a meeting of the Federation Council's Commission on Information Policy. He pointed out that 1,203 radio broadcasting licenses were issued as of June 1, 2002, including 908 (about 75%) issued for private broadcasters. This figure was not in accordance with the number of radio channels and radio programs broadcast in Russia. The deputy minister added that over 250 applications for radio broadcasting licenses were being considered by the Federal Tender Commission.

According to the deputy minister, radio broadcasting in CIS and Baltic countries is a serious problem. In this connection the Media Ministry has asked the State Duma to consider an increase in the financing of radio broadcasting in those countries.

Romanchenko said that $1.73bn were spent on radio advertisements in 2001, including taxes. This amount exceeded the corresponding figure for 2000 by 54%. According to him, the proportion of radio advertisements in the total volume of the advertising market is expected to reach 3.4% in 2002. The corresponding figure for 2000 was 5%.