Moscow, Russia - Russia's first television channel devoted to religion will launch Thursday as part of the subscriber services of satellite broadcaster NTV-Plus, the company said Monday. The new channel Spas (Saved) is the brainchild of television presenter Ivan Demidov, known throughout Russia as the face of a popular weekly music show of the 1990s "Muzoboza." It will devote 40% of its 16 daily broadcasting hours to Russian Orthodox themes, with the rest of the time for general interest talk shows, documentaries and educational programming. No games shows, serials or films will be broadcast on the channel. An advisory board including members of the Russian parliament and senior figures from the Orthodox Church will set the channel's agenda and decide on programming strategies. NTV-Plus declined to specify how much was being spent on the new channel and would not comment on press reports that at least part of the budget will come from state coffers.
Anastasya Kazakova, spokeswoman for the channel, said in an interview that it was being set up in response to a growing interest in Russia in religion and orthodoxy and was seen to fill a gap in the market. "The decision to launch Spas has been thought through and reflects the importance today of spiritual and moral education, and the growing interest of Russians in Orthodox culture and history," she said.