Sobesednik (Moscow), September 10, 2003

RBC TV, the first Russian channel for businessmen, started broadcasting the other day. It was created by RosBusinessConsulting and it is aimed at disseminating business information.

Every day, 24 hours a day, the business channel covers the situation on financial markets, broadcasts news, analytical surveys, forecasts and commentaries of experts. The seriousness of the newly emerged project is testified to by members of RBC TV's council of experts. Among them are Andrey Illarionov, Andrey Nechayev, Vladimir Pozner, Yevgeny Yasin and a number of other top professionals.

- The unique character of RBC TV is the conjunction of two concepts of broadcast: news and analytics. Our task is to independently and objectively cover events of business life in Russia and in the world, and be fast in providing our audience with current news. We actively cooperate with CNBC and CNN, the world's leaders in news broadcast and dissemination of economic information in the West, RBC TV General Director Artyom Inutin says.

- You have probably given them a considerable stake in the project for that?

- Many wanted to participate in the activities of RBC TV. However, it was initially decided that it would be a Russian company. So, it belongs to RBC 100 percent.

- It is difficult to watch TV because of advertising. Will you narrate about powders, chewing gums and deodorants too?

- We can allot only 6 minutes a day on such advertising. We have informational broadcast!

Some $23m have been invested in the launch of the new business channel (founders and investors hope that this money will be paid back in two years), and RBC TV's potential audience is more than 12m people who can watch the channel through cable networks or with the help of a satellite dish.

Yulia Vasilyeva