MHz Networks Offers New Russian Programming by Jessica Shyu Grab that remote and prepare for some classic Russian films, trendy Russian sitcoms and the latest in Russian sports, music and game shows. Beginning Sept. 15, more than 40 hours of Russian programming will be available on public television every week free of cost and with English subtitles. Known for its diverse international programs, MHz Networks bolstered its offerings to Russian and mainstream audiences in the Washington, D.C., area when it signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with Russian World TV. ìMHz Networks is the only place youíll find Russian World TV programming here in D.C.,î said MHz Executive Vice President and General Manager Frederick Thomas. MHz comprises two independent public television stations and caters to Washingtonís international crowd with a selection of news, dramas, films and educational programs spanning the globe. Broadcast daily on the MHz2 channel from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., the scheduled Russian shows include a diverse array of classic and new films, such as ìWhite Fang.î Other shows slated to air include the television series ìCapta in Pravdaî and the sitcom ìThe Agency,î which follows the quirky mishaps of a group of Russians working at an advertising agency. About 100,000 Russian Americans reside in the Washington area and about 2.9 million more live in the United States. However, that is not the only audience MHz is targeting. ìD.C. clearly represents all nationalities and races, and the programming MHz is offering is serving the community,î said Jan Du Plain, the networkís special consultant. ìAs everyone becomes more interested about the world around us, we will each want to be more educated and knowledgeable about different cultures.î Although Russian World TV is available to U.S. households through paid cable subscriptionsóRussian World TV opened to the American market in 2002 as a 24-hour channel for the Russian-American communityóresidents in Washington will be the only ones to access the lineup for free. The contract with Russian World TV will make Russia the most highly covered country on MHz Networks, which already draws programming from about 20 other countries. This also marks a drastic increase from the networkís original Russian selections, which featured only a Russian World TV news program and a Thursday evening entertainment block. In addition, the network is aiming to expand the agreement with an original weekly production for MHzís upcoming series, ìCapital Cities,î which will trace the everyday life of a person in the United States and compare it to that of another person in a foreign country. Already, the network has signed on to do programs on Berlin and New Delhi but is hoping to explore even further around the world. This ideology is based on the dreams of leaders from both MHz Networks and Russian World TV, said Du Plain. ìWe want [the program] to show our similarities and differences and how we Ö are as people wherever we are,î she said. ìWeíre not just here to drop a bunch of international shows. Weíre trying to impact peopleís way of thinking.î Jessica Shyu is an editorial intern for The Washington Diplomat.