Officials from the National Satellite Company (NSK), the owner of the Tricolor Cinema and TV streaming service, were summoned by Roskomnadzor (RKN) for an administrative matter linked to alleged LGBT propaganda. Two online cinema industry sources told the newspaper Vedomosti that the flagged content appeared in the film The Key Game, which is hosted on NSK’s platform. The RKN reportedly requested explanations and the preparation of a protocol outlining an administrative offense connected to the distribution of the movie, which the regulator says includes LGBT themes that violate current law.
A NSK representative confirmed receipt of a notice from the RKN department covering the North-West Federal District, stating the need to provide information and to draft the protocol. The company stresses that it is reviewing the claims, the distribution conditions for the film, and the legal basis for any potential action.
This marks the first known instance of Roskomnadzor identifying a violation involving an audio-visual service under the LGBT propaganda ban that took effect in December 2022. Earlier, the service had only been measured against rules requiring that content deemed prohibited be restricted to minors, with explicit 18+ labeling where applicable. At least thirty such protocols have been initiated by RKN to date.
Under the current framework, broadcasting or distributing films and television programs that promote LGBT themes is prohibited. Sanctions for individuals range from 50,000 to 400,000 rubles, for officials from 100,000 to 800,000 rubles, and for legal entities up to 5 million rubles. Beyond penalties, platforms found disseminating prohibited material face the risk of being added to a registry of banned sites and subsequent blocking in Russia.
The Spanish comedy The Key Game (El juego de las llaves) has a distribution license from the Ministry of Culture, dated September 2022, and the ministerial record confirms its 18+ rating for exhibition in cinemas, on physical media, and through other channels.
According to industry observers, the current case underscores the tightening regulatory environment for digital services that host or stream international content. It also highlights how regulators are interpreting and enforcing the LGBT content provisions across online platforms, including those that operate within the national market. The dialogue between NSK and Roskomnadzor is ongoing, with the company preparing formal legal positions and seeking clarity on the scope of permissible distribution in light of the law and its implementing rules.
In this climate, operators of audio-visual services face heightened scrutiny over both the materials they distribute and the ways in which those materials are categorized for audiences, especially when regional classifications and age restrictions intersect with broader regulatory goals. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of transparent processes for content assessment, clear labeling of access restrictions, and timely, accurate communications with regulators to prevent escalation and ensure compliance with evolving standards.
For consumers, the evolving rules influence what is available for streaming and viewing, how content is labeled, and what age gates apply to different programs. Industry participants note that the balance between creative flexibility and regulatory compliance remains delicate, particularly as global productions enter markets that enforce strict moral and public policy guidelines.
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, observers expect additional protocols to be issued and further guidance to clarify enforcement boundaries for online video platforms, libraries, and other digital distributors. The outcome of this case could signal how future actions will be shaped, including potential adjustments to licensing practices, content moderation pipelines, and bilateral discussions with content licensors to align offerings with national standards.
Ultimately, the matter turns on a precise assessment of whether the film’s presentation crosses the thresholds set by the law, and whether the implementing regulations adequately define what constitutes LGBT propaganda within the context of online distribution. Until a formal decision is issued, NSK is carefully coordinating its response while continuing to operate within the framework of applicable rules and ongoing regulator outreach.
[Source attribution: Vedomosti, reporting from multiple cinema industry sources; regulatory texts and ministry licensing records cited in government summaries.]