OREANDA-NEWS. On April 01, 2008 CTC Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTCM), Russia’s leading independent television broadcaster, announced that it re-launched Channel 31 together with the local partner in Kazakhstan on March 31, 2008, reported the press-centre of CTC Media.

Image, schedule and programming of the newly re-branded channel are now skewed to CTC format. The current programming schedule consists of CTC content (60% of air time), as well as local Kazakhstan programming and foreign content acquired specifically for Channel 31.

The channel will broadcast some of CTC’s most popular sitcoms, such as The Nanny and Daddy’s Girls, as well as CTC’s original hit series Cadets, all of which have been very successful with Russian speaking audiences. A number of well-established and newly launched CTC shows will also air on Channel 31 including The Brainiest, Good Jokes, and Just Kidding Me. Significant amount of the air time will be devoted to programming in Kazakh language.

Commenting on the announcement, Alexander Rodnyansky, Chief Executive Officer of CTC Media, said, “We are pleased to commence broadcasting in Kazakhstan, which has one of the fastest growing advertising markets in the world. Our local partners bring more than 15 years of television experience and will be a valuable asset as we seek to build the Channel 31 brand and capitalize on the development of this dynamic market.  With a combination of CTC’s proven Russian language programming and local productions, we are well positioned to enhance the channel’s appeal to both viewers and advertisers.”

Channel 31 has been broadcasting from its base in Almaty, Kazakhastan since 1992. The channel is currently the fourth largest in Kazakhstan in terms of audience share, averaging 7.1% in the second half of 2007, and targets primarily young audiences ages 6-54.

Kazakhstan has a population of more than 15 million people. The country's television advertising market is the third largest among the countries of the former Soviet Union behind Russia and Ukraine.