Eet’s not TV, Boris. Eet’s HBO in Russian.
HBO is quietly setting up a Russian version of the pay-TV network that could be operational before the end of the year, according to reports yesterday.
The channel would make Russian versions of some of HBO’s biggest hits, a local Russian business daily reported yesterday.
The report was first picked up here by the Hollywood Reporter.
The idea of a Russian HBO is intriguing if only because it would not be that difficult to turn shows like “True Blood” and “The Sopranos” into Russian dramas.
The channel is reportedly formed a partnership with Russia’s biggest TV producer — Amedia — to create the new channel.
Amedia has had experience making local versions of hit shows.
Its biggest success was a Russian version of “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” the Spanish language telenovela that became “Ugly Betty” here.
Russian TV has had a tremendous appetite for American TV — making their own with local actors sometimes using original (but doctored) scripts.
Russians TV has made it own versions of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “The Nanny,” “Rules of Engagement” and “King of Queens,” for instance.
HBO yesterday declined to comment.