RT UK
| RT UK | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 30 October 2014 |
| Network | RT |
| Owned by | (ANO) TV-Novosti (Under Russia Today TV UK Limited) |
| Picture format |
576i (16:9 SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.02% (September 2015, BARB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom Ireland |
| Headquarters | Millbank Tower, London |
| Sister channel(s) |
RT International RT America Rusiya Al-Yaum RT Documentary RT Actualidad RT Deutsch |
| Website | rt |
|
Availability
|
|
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 135 (SD) Channel 113 (HD) |
| Satellite | |
| Freesat | Channel 206 (SD/HD) |
| Sky (UK & Ireland) | Channel 512 (SD/HD) Channel 518 (SD) |
| Astra 2G | 11568 V 22000 5/6 11225 V 27500 2/3 (HD) |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media (Ireland) | Channel 241 |
| Streaming media | |
| Live stream | On Air |
RT UK is a TV channel based in London. It is part of the RT network, a global multilingual television news network based in Moscow and subsidised by the Russian government. The channel was launched on 30 October 2014.
RT UK focuses on covering the United Kingdom. RT UK positions itself as an outsider with a mission to oppose what it portrays as a pro-war, pro-Western media orthodoxy in the UK. The Russian news agency seeks to fashion an identity as alternative media as opposed to BBC News and Sky News. The channel claims its position is "to challenge dominant power structures in Britain by broadcasting live and original programming with a progressive UK focus", "not subject to the metropolitan elite's London bias".
Richard Sambrook, director of the Centre of Journalism at Cardiff University was quoted as saying "It's a surprising move to focus resources on the UK. It's not a commercial proposition, therefore the main purpose must be to gain influence. It's about soft power for the Kremlin". In a pre-launch statement, RT correspondent Polly Boiko said "So much is made of how RT is funded. It’s been cast as the Big Bad Wolf of the news media landscape," and "I think many of us... see the launch of RT UK as an opportunity to shake off the accusations levelled at the channel"
The channel's studios are in Millbank Tower. The channel offers four hours of programming per day, Monday to Friday UK News at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. On Fridays there is no 10pm UK News bulletin. The RT UK News anchor is Bill Dod. Like its counterpart in the United States, it simulcasts RT International at all other times.
RT UK serves as the home and production base of RT's UK based programmes. RT UK is the channel RT delivers to United Kingdom satellite providers. The channel is also available online through RT's website.
Ahead of the launch of its UK-specific broadcasts, RT said that adverts promoting the channel had been rejected by ad agencies because they felt they would be illegal under UK laws on political advertising. The network posted versions of the adverts on billboards and its website with the word "redacted" on them in an alleged protest. The UK Advertising Standards Authority said it had not banned the ads or even received any complaint about them.
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Wikipedia