[Satellite Today – 4-16-08] Viasat will launch direct-to-home (DTH) services in Ukraine at the beginning of next week, its parent company Modern Times Group (MTG) announced April 16. Viasat Ukraine is the first licensed digital premium satellite operator in Ukraine, and the initial offering will consist of three pay-TV packages –Viasat Family, Viasat Popular and Viasat Prestige, offering up to 60 Ukrainian, Russian and international channels. Ukraine is potentially one of the most lucrative pay-TV markets in Eastern Europe, with a population of around 47 million people.
    The Viasat Ukraine service is being launched by Vision TV following the joint venture partnership established between MTG and Strong Media Group in September 2007. “Our focus is on pushing the penetration of pay-TV services in one of the region´s fastest growing and most vibrant economies,” says Hans-Holger Albrecht, MTG CEO in a statement. “Our Viasat channels are already well known in the market and provide a solid base for the development of the platform. This is an important step in the further development of our broadcasting footprint and highlights the attractiveness of satellite as a means of rapid and efficient deployment of pay-TV services.”