TV for Russian wife - FTA

[Unknown user #1]

Most of Russian channels (that you can get in the UK) are on Hotbird and Express AM22.

On Hotbird free channels are:

Adjara TV. Strictly speaking, this is not Russian channel but rather in (unrecognized internationally) state of Adjara (former part of Georgia). This channel is (just like state) of dubious legality as they frequently broadcast pirated Hollywood movies with Russian or Adjarian (maybe Georgian, I am not that good with these languages) translation.
MusicBox.RU - this is an interactive music channel, with horrible quality video but still watchable. Especially when seriously drunk.
Russia Today - propaganda channel in English where 'talking heads' are using some strange (not Russian) accents.
RU.TV - yet another music channel
RTR Planeta - an international version of state RTR TV.
Euronews - strictly speaking it is not Russian but you can select Russian soundtrack if your satbox allows so.
ORT 1st Channel Europe - Another state-run Russian channel
Planeta Sport - sport channel
K+ - a reallu weird channel which broadcasts only black-n-white Russian-made movies from first half of 20th century. Nothing more.

On Express AM22 53E (if you could get it) channels are:

1st Music channel
World Music channel
STS (+2h)
STS - series/shows channel
MuzTV - another music channel
Telekanal Domashniy (+2)
Telekanal Domashniy - soap operas

HTH

[Analoguesat]

The 53E channels have recently ramped up the symbol rate to around 45000. This will be way too high for many receivers to get.

[Unknown user #1]

Oh, didn't knew that. Friend of mine got Lemon 020 and it works for her. Or at least she says so

[Analoguesat]

Certainly older receivers will struggle - my Echostar wouldnt work above SR 30000

[BGonaSTICK]

There are also a few FTA Russian channels in HD on Express AM1 at 40.0°E for those with HD receivers such as the Humax HDCI-2000. These could scramble at any point though.

10981 V SR=44951 FEC=5/6 - Again, a very high symbol rate.

Telekanal Rossiya (0h)
Telekanal Rossiya (+2h)
Telekanal Rossiya (+4h)
Telekanal Rossiya (+6h
Telekanal Rossiya (+8h)
RTR Planeta
Kultura Telekanal (0h)
Kultura Telekanal (+2h)
Kultura Telekanal (+4h)
Kultura Telekanal (+7h)
Perviy kanal (0h)
7 TV
Perviy kanal (+6h)
Muz TV
Vesti
Perviy kanal USA
Perviy kanal SNG
NTV
TNV
HD Test promo
Radio Mayak
Radio Novy Vek
Radio Kultura

Though there are reports that Perviy kanal has now gone.

Also FTA on Express AM1 (in SD) is Al Hurrya at 11623 V SR=3255 FEC=2/3

[BGonaSTICK]

And just for good measure, here's a complete list from kingofsat, but not all of these will be available in the UK.

[Unknown user #1]

Sorry for ignorance but why HD receiver is needed? Are these channels in HD? Or is it because of high symbol rate?

As to radio, there is a much better alternative IMHO: Internet radio receivers Such as Reciva-derived Logik IR100 (DSG group), Bush TR2015WIFI (Argos), Acoustic Energy and its sibling The Imp, BT Internet Radio (BT Shop), etc.

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, they're MPEG-4/HD.

We have a separate section for A/V by broadband

[Unknown user #1]

Ahh, got it. I am not really interested in HD at the moment as my 29" SD telly still going strong, so no plans to change it.
Later maybe

Thanks for pointer regarding radios I've got a strong feeling I am in the right place

[BGonaSTICK]

Yeah, I have an SD telly that doesn't want to die, but I'm still toying with the idea of a Skystar HD card. HD looks pretty good on a large PC monitor

The Skystar2 does DVB-S MPEG-2 HD, but most HD channels are switching to DVB-S2/MPEG-4 now.

I'm waiting for the 'proper' software to be released for the SS2HD.