November 23, 2024

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DirecTV expels RT from its lineup, dealing a major blow to the Russian-backed outlet in the US

DirecTV expels RT from its lineup, dealing a major blow to the Russian-backed outlet in the US

A spokesman for the US satellite carrier told CNN on Tuesday that the company was already considering whether to renew the port’s transfer agreement, which was due to expire later this year, and that Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine precipitated its decision. .

“In line with our previous agreement with RT America, we are accelerating the schedule for this year’s contract expiry and will not offer their programming effective immediately,” a DirecTV spokesperson said in a statement.

DirecTV was one of only two major TV providers in the US to transmit RT, so its decision was the first to be announced. Axiosdeals a major blow to the reach of the network in the country.
Dish (Dish)It is the other major television company that carries RT in the United States.

A DISH spokesman declined Monday to say whether the carrier would take any action against the channel, but expressed support for the people of Ukraine and said DISH was “closely monitoring the situation”.

The action from DirecTV is the latest in a A series of moves by TV companies and tech giants to sever ties with the channel, and to limit the Kremlin’s ability to promote its narrative at a pivotal time when its international standing declined.

YouTube, TikTok and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, separately announced on Monday and Tuesday the ban on RT’s social media accounts in Europe. Roku, the company that sells devices that allow users to stream content online, said it will also ban RT in Europe.

Outside the United States, television presenters in other countries cut ties with RT.

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Two of Canada’s largest television providers, Rogers Communications and Bell Canada, said Monday they had made the decision to remove the channel from their channel list, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

1+1 Media Group, a Ukrainian media conglomerate, said on Monday it had written a joint letter with other Ukrainian media companies to TV and other service providers, asking them to remove Russian news channels from their services.

“More than 20 local providers from Poland, Australia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria and Germany, as well as representatives of international companies have already responded to the request,” 1+1 Media Group said. In a press release. “From February 26, they have started shutting down the promotional TV channels on their satellite and cable networks and across other platforms and sources.”

Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, said on Monday it had “opened 15 new investigations into the due neutrality of news programming on RT news”.

“We have observed a significant increase in the number of programs on the RT service that require investigation under our broadcast law,” Ofcom said in a statement.