Some of these stations are becoming affiliates of strong TV broadcasters in local centers, from whom they receive programming. In Novgorod, for example, the local station TVS uses local cable stations to increase its footprint beyond the reach of its network of small transmitters. NIKA in Petrozavodsk also redistributes programming to isolated towns through cable networks. The future of small cable operators is quite unstable, and will vary greatly depending on local development. By nature, however, cable is concentrated in specific locales, and broad analysis by region provides an inexact analysis of its availability.
Some regional cities have high cable penetration.
Also, when there are economic downturns, subscribers are less likely to pay fees. Even in the boom years of cable stations in the early 1990s, many subscribers did not actually pay for received services. Large advertisers are not especially interested in small cable stations, and won't often buy time from them. Small, local advertisers are interested in the reach of small cable networks, however, which is one reason why these stations will continue to be used as affiliates by local broadcast channels. Despite competition from terrestrial broadcasters and difficult economic conditions in the regions, some media analysts predict that cable services, especially MMDS systems, will continue to grow in cities throughout Russia.