Spas (or Savior), which has been broadcasting to Russia's European part since its launch last July, will now be able to increase its audience to 20-40 million from the current 3.5 mln, officials responsible for the channel's regional development said.
The privately-owned broadcaster has so far been on air for 12 hours per day, but plans eventually to shift to a round-the-clock schedule. It runs both its own productions and programs bought from other companies. Forty percent of its content relates to Orthodoxy and the remaining 60% deals with broader social topics.
Spas' broadcasts are operated by Gazcom, a joint venture co-owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom and spacecraft manufacturer Energia. Gazcom currently holds 20% of Russia's communications satellite market.
