EN

Russian TVRewind

10,000 days on air, from Hollywood to political talk shows.

Scroll to read the storyRead the story
Loading…

A week in 2000

Channel One, a major Russian TV network, had movies and TV series throughout the day and evening. Cartoons ran in the morning and afternoon, and the nightly news came on at 9 p.m.

Hollywood and soaps

Russian movies and TV series shared the schedule with foreign hits like Home Alone, Ghostbusters, and Police Academy, plus daytime soap operas from Brazil.

Familiar game shows

In 2001–2005, viewers could watch Russian versions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Name That Tune. Field of Wonders had a wheel and word puzzles, much like Wheel of Fortune.

weekdays · afternoon 12:00–19:00

Family drama

Daytime talk shows brought family arguments into the studio. Guests told their side of the story, and the host and audience argued over who was right.

weekends · evening 18:00–00:00

A shot at stardom

Music and talent shows filled weekend evenings in 2006–2007. Star Factory trained aspiring singers, while Minute of Fame was a talent contest.

Two Stars paired actors and TV hosts with professional singers for duets.

weekdays · afternoon 10:00–16:00

Everyday advice

In 2008–2011, lifestyle shows took more hours from daytime TV series. Viewers watched fashion makeovers and food tests comparing brands for taste and quality.

night 22:00–01:00

Late-night arrives

In 2012, Channel One launched a late-night show with host Ivan Urgant. The format would be familiar to American viewers: interviews and comedy.

weekends

Disney's neighbors

Russian kids grew up with Disney cartoons, too: Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Timon & Pumbaa all aired on Channel One.

Disney shared weekend mornings with an Orthodox priest's sermon, accordion folk music, shows about the Russian army, and a teen quiz on subjects like history and literature. The quiz's top prize was a place at a university that trains diplomats, with no entrance exams.

weekdays · afternoon 12:00–19:00

Afternoon politics

In fall 2014, viewers got more political talk shows in the afternoon, in place of TV series and courtroom shows.

More talk

In 2015–2019, talk shows took even more time from movies and TV series. Some focused on politics; others featured family arguments or helped guests find a date.

TV in early 2022

News and political talk shows ran alongside talk shows about family problems and lifestyle advice. Movies and TV series shared evenings and weekends with other entertainment. Ivan Urgant hosted the late-night show.

February changes the schedule

After February 24, 2022, news left less time for family disputes, lifestyle advice, and entertainment. Movies and TV series stayed on; Urgant's late-night show ended with its February 21 episode. Political talk shows gained hours in August.

night 00:00–06:00

After midnight

In January 2023, Channel One began airing video podcasts after midnight, with conversations about psychology, money, culture, and politics.

Everyday TV returns

Dating shows and talk shows about family problems returned in 2024–2025. Programs about fashion, culture, and daily life kept airing.

Looking back · 1998–2025

Less time for movies

Russian movies and TV series still aired, alongside a few foreign films: movies from Europe and older holiday reruns.

Looking back · 1998–2025

How the channel changed

In 2000, movies and TV series were the channel's main offering. Their daytime hours gradually went to family disputes and lifestyle advice, then to news and political talk shows by 2025.

Other entertainment kept about the same share of airtime from 2005 onward, apart from a dip in 2022.