Channel One (Russian: Пе́рвый кана́л, Pervy kanal; IPA: ['pʲɛrvɨj kən'ɑl]) is one of Russia's most highly rated TV channels, and the one with the widest reception area. According to a recent government publication, the Russian government controls 51% of its shares. Its headquarters are in the Technical Center "Ostankino" near the Ostankino Tower, Moscow. Image File history File links CH1_Russia. ... The following is a list of television channels from Russia: Channel One Dom Kino Muzyka Pervogo Vremja NTV NTV Mir RTR Planeta RTR Telekanal Rossija RTR Sport Russia Today TV - International English-language news channel 24 Dok 365 dnei TV 7 TV Sportivniyi Telekanal A One Afontovo ART (Associaciya Regionalnogo... Vertical panorama of Ostankino Television Tower The Ostankino tower seen from the grounds at All-Russia Exhibition Centre. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ...

Production

Channel One remains the most prosperous of Russian TV channels and wields the largest budget by far. It airs the Russian adaptations of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Survivor, and Star Factory, apart from many homegrown productions. It has produced many high-profile films, including three of the highest-grossing Russian movies ever, Night Watch (2004), Turkish Gambit (2005), and Day Watch (2006). For the 1956 Cole Porter song, see Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (song). ... This article is about the television show. ... Alla on the Star Factory. ... Night Watch (Russian: ) is a Russian fantasy action thriller film, made in 2004 by the Kazakhstan-born film director Timur Bekmambetov. ... This article is about the 2006 film. ...

History

Until 1 September, 2002 the channel was called ORT (ОРТ—Общественное Российское Телевидение, Public Russian Television). ORT was founded in 1994 to replace the First Channel of the Soviet Television (RTO), while maintaining its traditional programs and shows, such as Vremya, KVN, Chto? Gde? Kogda?, V mire zhivotnykh and Klub puteshestvennikov (these latter two are now off-air). Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... KVN (Russian: , an abbreviation of Russian: , Klub Vesyolykh i Nakhodchivykh, Club of the cheerful and sharp-witted people) is a Russian humor TV show where Russian student teams compete by giving funny answers to questions, improvisations, prepared sketches. ... What? Where? When? (Russian Что? Где? Когда?) is a quiz show which is well known in Russian-language media. ...

ORT began broadcasting in April 1995, with the prominent TV journalist Vladislav Listyev as its leader. The former Radiotelevidenie Ostankino (RTO) was admitted as a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union on 1 January, 1993. The membership is currently held by Channel One. However, following Listyev's assassination in March 1995, Boris Berezovsky, the leading shareholder of ORT, took control of operations. Vlad(islav) Nikolayevich Listyev (Russian: ) (May 10, 1956–March 1, 1995) was a Russian journalist and head of the ORT TV Channel (now government-controlled Channel One). ... EBU redirects here. ... This article is about the Russian businessman. ...

Political coverage

In autumn of 1999 the channel actively participated in State Duma electoral campaign by criticizing Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov, Yevgeny Primakov and their party Fatherland-All Russia, major opponents of the pro-Putin party Unity. Sergey Dorenko, popularly dubbed as TV-killer, who was a close ally of Boris Berezovsky and in September 1999 - September 2000 hosted influential weekly "Sergey Dorenko's program" on Saturdays at 9pm, was especially heavy on criticism and mercilessly attacked Putin’s opponents [1][2][3]. For other uses, see State Duma (disambiguation). ... Legislative elections were held in the Russian Federation on December 19, 1999. ... Yuriy Mikhailovich Luzhkov. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Fatherland - All Russia (Russian: ) was a political block formed in 1999 by the Fatherland and All Russia blocks to take part in the 1999 State Duma election and led by Yevgeny Primakov, Yury Luzhkov and Vladimir Yakovlev. ... Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Russian: ) (born October 7, 1952) is the current President of the Russian Federation. ... Unity (In Russian: Единство, Yedinstvo) was a Russian political party that was created as an interregional group in September 1999 and registered on October 15, supported by Russia’s President Boris Yeltsin, PM Vladimir Putin and some tens of Russian governors to counter the threat which the Kremlin perceived from the... Sergey Leonidovich Dorenko (Russian: ; b. ... This article is about the Russian businessman. ...

In August 2000, however, his program criticized how the government handled the Russian submarine Kursk explosion. When Dorenko’s show was in turn suspended on September 9, 2000, ORT director-general Konstantin Ernst insisted that, contrary to Dorenko's allegations, government had not been involved in the change, and that he yanked the show because Dorenko had defied his orders to stop discussing the government's plan to nationalize media magnate Boris Berezovsky's 49-percent stake in the network. [4] [5][6] In August 2000, the Russian Oscar II class submarine, Kursk sank in the Barents Sea when a leak of hydrogen peroxide in the forward torpedo room apparently led to the detonation of a torpedo warhead, which in turn triggered the explosion of around half a dozen other warheads about two... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the Russian businessman. ...

Berezovsky claims that in 2001 he was forced by the Putin administration to sell his shares. He first tried to sell them to a third party, but failed. A close friend of Berezovsky, Nikolai Glushkov, was arrested while seriously ill, and Berezovsky gave up the shares (and, according to some sources, transferred them to Roman Abramovich's Sibneft) for the promise to release him, which was not fulfilled. [7][8] Soon after Berezovsky's withdrawal, the new ownership changed the channel's name to Pervyi Kanal (Channel One). The current General Director of Channel One is Konstantin Ernst. Currently Channel One's minority shares are held by three little-known companies, ORT-KB, Eberlink-2002, and Rastrkom. Some speculate that these companies are owned by Roman Abramovich, although this claim lacks definitive proof. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Влади́мир Влади́мирович Пу́тин in Cyrillic lettering) (born October 7, 1952) has been the President of Russia since the year 2000. ... Nikolay Glushkov is a former Deputy Director-General of Aeroflot. ... Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (IPA: ) (Russian: ) (born 24 October 1966 in Saratov, Russia) is a Russian billionaire and the main owner of private investment company Millhouse Capital, referred to as one of the Russian oligarchs. ... Sibneft (Сибне́фть in Russian) is Russias fifth largest oil producing and refining company. ... Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (IPA: ) (Russian: ) (born 24 October 1966 in Saratov, Russia) is a Russian billionaire and the main owner of private investment company Millhouse Capital, referred to as one of the Russian oligarchs. ...

Russian television media in the Putin era are being criticized for the pro-government bias. The critics charge that Channel One's news and information programs are frequently used for propaganda purposes. These critics contend that Channel One airs a disproportionate amount of stories focusing on positive aspects of official government policy, while largely neglecting certain controversial topics such as war in Chechnya or social problems. In addition, some have argued that the station's news reports often blur the line between factual reporting and editorial commentary, especially when broadcasting stories concerning Russian government policies or goals. For example, during the 2004 Ukrainian Presidential elections, many political observers believe the Russian government actively supported the candidacy of then Ukrainian Prime-minister Viktor Yanukovich. Similarly, in an October 13, 2004 news story, Channel One reporter Natalya Kondratyuk declared that "the Premier [Yanukovich], as a candidate, is adding to his ratings by working on the economy and by solving current social problems; he does not use slogans; he is not criticizing his opponent; and he is not creating scandals. Yushchenko’s style of campaigning is diametrically opposite." The Chechen Republic (IPA: ; Russian: , Chechenskaya Respublika; Chechen: , Noxçiyn Respublika), or, informally, Chechnya (; Russian: ; Chechen: , Noxçiyçö), sometimes referred to as Ichkeria, Chechnia, Chechenia or Noxçiyn, is a federal subject of Russia. ... Politics of Russia (the Russian Federation) takes place in a framework of a federal presidential republic, whereby the President of Russia is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... The presidential election held in November and December 2004 in Ukraine was mostly a political battle between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and former Prime Minister and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. ... Viktor Yanukovych Campaign Poster 2004 Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych (Russian: Виктор Федорович Янукович1) (born July 9, 1950 in Yenakiieve, Donetska oblast) was Prime Minister of Ukraine from November 21... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko (Ukrainian: Віктор Андрійович Ющенко) (born 23 February 1954) is the president of Ukraine. ...

In another controversial example, on a January 23, 2005 broadcast, in the midst of widespread protests against a new reform of Russia's social benefits system (L'goty), a Channel One anchor opined, "you can understand, and should understand, those who went out on the streets, but you also have to understand that the old system has completely outlived its use." Later, in the same story, a reporter characterized those protesting against the reforms as political opportunists, adding, "criticizing the reform is good PR." A few days later, on January 27, 2005, as the protests continued across Russia, a Channel One reporter noted, "You can understand the elderly [protestors, but] repealing free [bus] fares was the last hope for public transport." is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Similarly, on a February 12, 2005 broadcast, a Channel One anchor declared, "The key question of the week has been: how are Presidents Saakashvili (of the Republic of Georgia) and Yushchenko (of Ukraine) different? At first, it seemed the difference was only in their appearance, in all other ways, they were like characters from the film Attack of the Clones for us." Critics of Channel One news argue that hundreds of similar examples exist where station news reporters and anchors insert editorial commentary into news reports, almost always to commend perceived allies of Russia or criticize perceived enemies. is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mikhail Saakashvili briefing the press at UN headquarters Mikhail Saakashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი) (born Thursday, December 21, 1967), Georgian jurist and politician, is the President of Georgia. ... Georgia (Georgian: საქართველო Sakartvelo), known from 1991 to 1995 as the Republic of Georgia, is a country to the east of the Black Sea in the southern Caucasus. ... Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko (Ukrainian: Віктор Андрійович Ющенко) (born 23 February 1954) is the president of Ukraine. ... Film poster for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) is the fifth Star Wars science fiction movie released and the second part of the prequel trilogy which began with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ...

As of 2006, Vladimir Pozner, Ekaterina Andreeva, Petr Tolstoy and Mikhail Leontiev are among the most prominent political journalists of the channel. On Sunday, January 28, 2006, Channel One news and analytical program Sunday Time (Voskresnoye vremya) hosted by Petr Tolstoy distorted the content of a speech by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko related to Russia-Belarus energy dispute to the contrary by editing it and deleting some crucial words. ([9], video (in Russian): [10], text of original speech in Russian: [11]) Vladimir Posner (born April 10, 1934) is a Russian journalist best known in the West for being a communicative television personality for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. ... Mikhail Vladimirovich Leontyev (Russian: , born October 12, 1958, in Moscow) is a Russian journalist currently working on national TV Channel One. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko or Alyaksandar Ryhoravich Lukashenka (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (born August 30, 1954 at Kopys, Vitebsk voblast) has been the President of Belarus since 1994. ... Druzhba pipeline goes from Russia through Belarus to other European countries The Russia-Belarus energy dispute began when Russian state-owned gas supplier Gazprom demanded an increase in gas prices paid by Belarus. ...

Management and shareholders

2005

According to the inspection ([12]) conducted by the Audit Chamber of Russia and initiated by MP Alexander Lebedev, in 2005 the channel had the following shareholders structure and board of directors: Alexander Lebedev (born 16 December 1959) is a Russian billionaire, referred to as one of the Russian tycoons. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Rosimushchestvo – 38.9 %
• ORT Bank Consortium – 24%
• RastrKom 2002 – 14%
• EberLink – 11%
• ITAR TASS – 9.1 %
• TTTs – 3%

Alexey Gromov (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Press Secretary of President Vladimir Putin)

Konstantin Ernst (Director General of the Channel One)

Alexander Dzasokhov (then President of North Ossetia-Alania)

Galina Karelova (Chairman of Russia's Social Insurance Fund)

Mikhail Lesin (Adviser to President Vladimir Putin, former Mass Media Minister)

Nikita Mikhalkov (President of Russia's Cinematographers Union)

Mikhail Piotrovsky (Director of the State Hermitage Museum)

Ilya Reznik (poet, composer)

Alexander Chaikovsky (Chairman of the Composition Department of Moscow Conservatory)

Mikhail Shvydkoi (Chief of the Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography, former Culture Minister of Russia)

ORT Bank Consortium, RastrKom 2002 and EberLink (49%) are controlled by Roman Abramovich, while Rosimushchestvo, ITAR TASS and TTTs vote on behalf of the Russian state (51%). [13] The Federal Agency for Federal Property Management of the Russian Federation (Rosimushchestvo) (in Russian: Федеральное агентство по управлению федеральным имуществом (Росимущество)) is a subdivision of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade that manages Russias federal state property. ... ITAR-TASS (ИТАР-ТАСС), Information Telegraph Agency of Russia, is the major news agency of the Russian Federation. ... Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Russian: ) (born October 7, 1952) is the current President of the Russian Federation. ... ... Capital Vladikavkaz Area - total - % water Ranked 84th - 8,000 km² - negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 68th - est. ... Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Russian: ) (born October 7, 1952) is the current President of the Russian Federation. ... Nikita Mikhalkov in the 2005 Fandorin movie The Councillor of State. ... Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky (Russian: ) is Director of the State Hermitage Museum in St. ... The State Hermitage Museum (Russian: ) in Saint Petersburg, Russia is one of the largest museums in the world, with 3 million works of art (not all on display at once), [1] and one of the oldest art galleries and museums of human history and culture in the world. ... The Moscow Conservatory (Московская Государственная Консерватория им. П.И.Чайковского) is a prominent music school in Russia. ... Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (IPA: ) (Russian: ) (born 24 October 1966 in Saratov, Russia) is a Russian billionaire and the main owner of private investment company Millhouse Capital, referred to as one of the Russian oligarchs. ... The Federal Agency for Federal Property Management of the Russian Federation (Rosimushchestvo) (in Russian: Федеральное агентство по управлению федеральным имуществом (Росимущество)) is a subdivision of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade that manages Russias federal state property. ... ITAR-TASS (ИТАР-ТАСС), Information Telegraph Agency of Russia, is the major news agency of the Russian Federation. ...

2006

As of 2006, the Board of Directors of the Channel One consisted of: Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Sergei Naryshkin (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Minister, Chief of Staff of the Russian Government)

Konstantin Ernst (Director General of the Channel One)

Lyudmila Pridanova (Deputy Head of Rosimushchestvo)

Alexey Gromov (Press Secretary of President Vladimir Putin)

Mikhail Lesin (Adviser to President Vladimir Putin, former Mass Media Minister)

Nikita Mikhalkov (President of Russia's Cinematographers Union)

Mikhail Piotrovsky (Director of the State Hermitage Museum)

Ilya Reznik (poet, composer)

Alexander Chaikovsky (Chairman of the Composition Department of Moscow Conservatory, Rector of Saint Petersburg Conservatory)

Mikhail Shvydkoi (Chief of the Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography, former Culture Minister of Russia)

Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin (Russian: ; b. ... The Federal Agency for Federal Property Management of the Russian Federation (Rosimushchestvo) (in Russian: Федеральное агентство по управлению федеральным имуществом (Росимущество)) is a subdivision of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade that manages Russias federal state property. ... Nikita Mikhalkov in the 2005 Fandorin movie The Councillor of State. ... Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky (Russian: ) is Director of the State Hermitage Museum in St. ... Theatre Square and the conservatory in 1913. ...

External links

• (Russian) Official Site All of Channel One's news broadcasts since 1999 are archived here
• (English) International Federation of Journalists Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists
• (Russian) The Union of Russian Journalists Professional Code of Ethics
• (English) Listing and TV Guide for All Russian TV in USA
• (Russian) Ryklin, Alexander. Vozvraschenets: An interview with Boris Berezovsky. EJ No. 99, 9 Decemvber 2003
• (Russian) All Channel One's broadcasts since 2006