Following a meeting on March 26, the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting announced the suspension of terrestrial broadcasting operations for the sports channel “XSport” (Totveld LLC) and the music channel “M1” (Teleodin LLC).
“The media outlet operated 24 hours a day on the MX-3 multi-channel electronic network, DVB-T2 (MPEG-4) standard, nationwide category. The reason for revoking the license is a deterioration in financial condition linked to the ongoing decline in the advertising market,” the regulator commented on the decision regarding “XSport.”
The National Council added that it also revoked the registration of two linear media outlets, “Totveld,” which broadcast without using the radio frequency spectrum under the logos “XSPORT+” and “XSPORT.”
“National category. The media outlet broadcast programs 24/7 on the MX-2 terrestrial multichannel communication network, DVB-T2 (MPEG-4) standard. In its statement, the company cites a significant decline in the advertising market, rising distribution costs, a shrinking audience for terrestrial digital broadcasting, and the economic unfeasibility of maintaining this distribution method,“ according to the regulator’s statement regarding ”M1.”
In turn, the “M1” TV channel explained its decision to cease terrestrial broadcasting on Monday as a transition to a new content distribution model “as part of a strategy to optimize and adapt to current market conditions.”
“The decision to exit the terrestrial digital space is a logical continuation of our policy of efficient resource management. Given the economic situation in the country and the rapid change in viewers’ consumption habits, we are focusing our presence where the audience is most active and loyal,” the statement on its website reads.
It is noted that broadcasting continues in full via OTT platforms and cable networks.
According to the press release, the Ukrainian music channel “M2” already has similar positive experience operating in this distribution format, so it is also continuing its broadcasts via OTT services and cable networks.
“Today we are choosing the path of maximum efficiency. Due to the difficult economic situation in the country and low demand for outdated broadcast formats, we have made a conscious decision to focus on a new broadcasting strategy,“ commented Natela Chkhartishvili-Zatsarinnaya, executive producer of the ”M1“ and ‘M2’ TV channels, noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the ”M1” channel.
The National Council also noted that due to the inability to resume broadcasting because of financial and organizational difficulties caused by the full-scale invasion, a number of Kyiv-based companies with 24-hour broadcasting, which operated under the logos “UNIAN TV,” “UNIAN. Dnipro,“ ”UNIAN. Mykolaiv,“ and ”UNIAN. Nikopol.“
XSport is a nationwide multisport channel that began broadcasting on January 22, 2012. It previously aired under the name ”Hockey.”
According to YouControl, the owner of Totveld LLC is Donbas Hockey Club LLC, and the beneficial owner is listed as former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister of Infrastructure, and Member of Parliament Boris Kolesnikov.
The owner of “Teleodin” LLC is “Ukrainian Youth and Music Channel M1” TV and Radio Company LLC, and the beneficial owners are Mykola Bagraev (74%) and Maksym Pavlenko (25%).
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