The sports channel will show matches in 11 neighbouring countries.

Q SPORT has acquired the rights to show Russian Premier Liga matches in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

Broadcasts will be available on cable operators’ networks and on mobile operators' OTT platforms on the Q SPORT TV channel. The broadcaster is negotiating to include the channel on TV networks and OTT platforms. The channel plans to have local commentary and telegraphy for broadcasts in individual countries.

"RPL broadcasts in post-Soviet countries are a long-awaited return of the beloved football to TV screens, which has been eagerly awaited by many fans. We are glad that together with the RPL we have managed to organise such an opportunity for them.

"In addition to resuming the broadcasts themselves, we plan to start adapting the channel's coverage for local audiences in the near future, which will attract not only the Russian-speaking population of these countries, but also a new generation of fans who prefer to watch sports in their native language," said Aidar Alimgazy, General producer of Q SPORT.

The first RPL matches will be seen by viewers in Kazakhstan. Starting from matchday 23, RPL matches will be shown on the Bee TV service.

"About 50-60% of the RPL audience outside of Russia is made up of people living in post-Soviet countries. Therefore, it is strategically important for us to develop the RPL product in these regions, maintain a stable connection with our loyal audience, which is traditionally interested in Russian football, and involve the new, younger generation. 

"We are very happy to find a reliable, interested and experienced partner who is well-versed in the sports broadcasting markets of all the named countries," Pavel Suvorov, commercial director of the RPL, said about the agreement with Q SPORT.