Figure 1.--

The Russian television industry as a result of the dissolution of the Soviet Union has undegone many remarkable changes. Russian television as it transitioned from the Soviet era was owned and operated by federal and regional government agencies. All domestic programming was produced by state-owned government production companies or film studios. The television industry was funded entirely from government budgets. There was no commercial advertising. Only two Russian channels were broadcasted nationlly. Most Russian viewers had access to two-five diffrent channels, depending on where they lived. There was some small-scale private operations which operated without government licenses. There was no market research into viewer preferences. TV stations were privatized in the early 1990s. It looks to HBC like the Russian Government under President Putin, however, has restablished state control over Russian television. Some Russian readers do not entirely agree with this statement. Another development has been new networks devoted to children's programming.

Transition

The Russian television industry as a result of the dissolution of the Soviet Union has undegone many remarkable changes. Russian television as it transitioned from the Soviet era was owned and operated by federal and regional government agencies. All domestic programming was produced by state-owned government production companies or film studios. The television industry was funded entirely from government budgets. There was no commercial advertising. Only two Russian channels were broadcasted nationlly. Most Russian viewers had access to two-five diffrent channels, depending on where they lived. There was some small-scale private operations which operated without government licenses. There was no market research into viewer preferences.

Privatization

TV stations were privatized in the early 1990s. We do not yet have details on the privitization process.

Reasertion of Government Control

It looks to HBC like the Russian Government under President Putin, however, has restablished state control over Russian television. Some Russian readers do not entirely agree with this statement. A Russian reader writes, "Often Western medias says that Russian government controls the TV - mmmmm, NO. Russian government controls only the three most popular TV channels (1TV, RTV, NTV) - but that is all. You can watch BBC or Euronews in Russia freely (although Russians don't like BBS (hate), 'cause Russians are pictured there as ugly monsters, bastards, slaves and idiots ...." This comment is important to assess. We in fact parially agree, but not entirely. During the Soviet era the TV/radio and other media (authors, poets, artists, ect.) all had to follow the Communist line--the term was Socialist Realism. Everyone who produced creative works had to create works which extolled the Communist Party and the Soviet Union. This even included school children in art classes. People who did not c;osely follow the Party line like Boris Pasternak could not get published. Thus Dr. Zivago has to be smuggled out of Russia and published in the West. While Stalin was alive, of course, a lot worse happened.) So I think we can accurately say that the Russian Government does not control the media like the Soviet Government. But I think the point the Western media makes is that the current Russian Government controls the political discourse. During the 2008 election, the Government limited who could run and the access to the media of those oposed to President Putin's anointed candidate. The Government also limits criticisms of Government figures and Government policies.

Children's Programming

Another development has been new networks devoted to children's programming. Tele-Nurse is the childrern channel - only cartoon movies and children shows. In modern Russia there are many TV channels, and several of them are made especially for children - like Tele-Nyanya, Bibigon etc.

Sources

Internews, "A Survey of Russian Television", undated probably about 1992. A study contracted by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Created: 7:42 PM 4/23/2008
Last updated: 7:52 PM 4/23/2008