History UsefulNotes / RussianTVNetworks

Opinions on channel tend to differ [[BrokenBase quite a lot]]: either it's the OnlySaneMan amongst other networks, or an unneeded frequency hoarder. The latter opinion stems from the fact that it was hit by DorkAge in 2009 while being not the most popular channel to begin with.

The history of television in Russia dates all the way back to October 1, 1931 — the launch of CT (Central Television). Initially one channel, it was eventually split into a couple of networks: First Program, Second Program and Educational Program (mostly unavailible outside Moscow).

After the fall of USSR, things became... complicated. Long story short, by 1993, there were three major players — VGTRK, RGTRK Ostankino (both Moscow-based) and GTRK "Petersburg — 5 Kanal" (St. Petersburg-based), all splinters of CT. Later, Ostankino effectively merged with a company called ORT, forming what we know now as Channel One, and 5 Kanal lost its position in the big three.

After TheGreatPoliticsMessUp and fall of USSR, things became... complicated. Long story short, by 1993, there were three major players — VGTRK, RGTRK Ostankino (both Moscow-based) and GTRK "Petersburg — 5 Kanal" (St. Petersburg-based), all splinters of CT. Later, Ostankino effectively merged with a company called ORT, forming what we know now as Channel One, and 5 Kanal lost its position in the big three.

The history of television in Russia dates all the way back to October 1, 1931 — the launch of CT (Central Television). Initially one channel, it was eventually split into a couple of networks: First Program, Second Program and Educational Program (mostly anavailible outside Moscow).

After UsefulNotes/TheGreatPoliticsMessUp and fall of USSR, things became... complicated. Long story short, by 1993, there were three major players — VGTRK, RGTRK Ostankino (both Moscow-based) and GTRK "Petersburg — 5 Kanal" ([[CaptainObvious St. Petersburg-based]]), all splinters of CT. Later, Ostankino effectively merged with a company called ORT, forming what we know now as Channel One, and 5 Kanal lost its position in the big three.

Currently, television in Russia is divided between state-owned and commercial (a number of channels are owned by the state-owned Gazprom). The federal channels are sorted into two "multiplexes" (what Americans know as "channels") following the rise of digital formats. Out of convinience, they will be sorted into multiplexes in this article as well.

Opinions on channel tend to differ [[BrokenBase quite a lot]]: either it's the OnlySaneMan amongst other networks, or an unneeded frequency hoarder. The latter opinion stems from the fact that it tends to fall into DorkAge quite a lot.