USAGM expands Russian-language programming to Europe

U.S. Agency for Global Media expands Russian-language programming to Europe

March 9, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the growing need for reliable Russian-language news and information in Central and Eastern Europe, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) announced it is expanding its satellite distribution of Current Time TV.

 

Current Time is a 24/7 Russian-language television and digital network, providing live news, robust debate, and fact-based reporting on local, regional, and international issues, aimed at audiences in Russia, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and around the world. It is produced by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in collaboration with Voice of America.

"There is a growing appetite across Europe for a reliable and fact-based Russian-language alternative to Kremlin-controlled information," said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. "I'm thrilled to be able to reach more audiences — including the Russian diaspora — with this award-winning programming."

 

Demand for the mix of unique feature and documentary programming that Current Time offers is expanding in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltics, and beyond. In the months following Russia's invasion, Current Time signed over 50 new media partners in countries like Estonia, Lithuania, and Moldova — just as media outlets in those countries were dropping Russia's RT. Current Time television content is also complemented by a robust and popular digital component that engages and connects with global audiences via social media and other platforms. Since the war began in February 2022, Current Time's online videos have been viewed an unprecedented 4 billion times.

 

Following an agreement with Luxembourg-based M7 Group, owned by CANAL+ Group and one of Europe's leading pay TV providers, Current Time TV will be distributed free-to-air via both ASTRA 19.2 and Eutelsat E9B and will soon be available as a linear OTT channel via the M7 platforms in Hungary (Direct One) and Romania (Focus Sat), as well.  For more information, contact USAGM Office of Public Affairs at (202) 920-2000.

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is an independent federal agency, overseeing public service media networks that provide unbiased news and information in countries where the press is restricted. USAGM entities include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa) and Open Technology Fund. USAGM programming has a measured audience of 410 million in more than 100 countries and in 63 languages.

 

(Press Release)