TVi (channel)
| ТВi TVi |
|
|---|---|
The logo of TVi
|
|
| Launched | March 17, 2008 |
| Closed | March 23, 2015 |
| Owned by | Ukrainian Government |
| Picture format |
SDTV (480i 4:3) PAL (576i 4:3) UHF (Digital DVB-T2) |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Broadcast area | Ukraine |
| Headquarters | Kiev, Ukraine |
| Website | tvi.ua |
TVi (Ukrainian: ТВі) was a Ukrainian TV channel that did broadcast from 2008 till March 2015, it was widely seen as Ukraine's only independent TV channel. It was known for its critical coverage of the Ukrainian government, particularly of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Late April 2013 the channel changed ownership in a disputed takeover. Early May 2013 the new management stated that they wanted to transform TVi into a mainstream TV channel (to be completed by September 2013). In March 2015 TVi stopped broadcasting because it had drained out its financial resources. In March 2016 its broadcast licence was revoked.
TVi launched on 17 March 2008, and was set up by two exiled Russian businessmenn: Vladimir Gusinsky and Konstantin Kagalovsky. They split due to a business dispute but Kagalovsky continued to fund TVi.
According to Ukrainian media watchdog Telekrytyka TVi and 5 Kanal were the only remaining TV channels in mid-May 2010 with independent and fair TV news coverage.
The President of TVi was Vitaly Portnikov.
(Former) Chairman of the Editorial Board Mykola Knyazhytsky was placed at number 10 on the electoral list of Batkivshchyna during the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election. He was elected into parliament and Knyazhytsky left TVi immediately after.
Oleksandr Altman was officially registered on 24 April 2013 as the channel's owner but according to Konstantin Kagalovsky, TVi's previously registered owner, the documents showing that he sold the station were forged. The staff of TVi then went on strike to protest the change of ownership that they fear will undermine their ability to air news critical of President Viktor Yanukovych. According to press reports Altman, a Ukrainian-born U.S. businessman, had in the past worked as an adviser to Energy Minister in the Second Azarov Government Eduard Stavytsky. (in April 2013) Altman stated his priority was to save the television channel as an objective source of information in Ukraine.
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Wikipedia