"To have a big viable network in this country is a central piece of our strategy," he said.

"A bigger network that's still up and running, where they need an occasional example."

"The big three networks are still the biggest game in town," the advertising executive said.

Nevosoft.ru, was launched in 2004 and since has become the biggest social network of casual players.

Nevosoft.ru became the biggest social network of casual game players.

But, one senior government official said, "We have seen no evidence of a big network here that helped them out."

Salaries across the board, though, are lower than at the big three networks.

All of the big three networks have used this approach at one time or another since then.

Monday was a close night for the big three networks in total viewers.

It fills only 15 hours a week compared with 22 for the other big networks.