30-35% of All TV Series Aired by Ukrainian Broadcasters Are Russian Original Productions or Co-productions

Aleksandr Tkachenko, 1+1 Media CEO, during Television as Business conference held in the course of the V international media forum KYIV MEDIA WEEK told that 30-35% of all TV series aired by Ukrainian broadcasters are Russian original productions or co-productions. Although this figure was 80-85% only two years ago, he said. 

It must be mentioned that the study conducted by the Media Resources Management shows that there were 66% of Russian TV series on air in 2014. Another 6% were Ukrainian/Russian co-productions. 

The embargo on Russian content is a serious challenge both for the broadcasters and prodcos as the former have to fill in their lineups, and the latter have to produce something and sell it if possible. As an example Vlad Ryashin, the founder and general producer of Star Media, said he is ready to enter the markets of Bulgaria, Slovakia and Poland, where the leading TV channels air only 3-4 original TV series a season. Those perspectives equally as absence of choice stimulate Ukrainian broadcasters to produce their own projects.

Still, talking about the future Yevgen Lyaschenko, director of Media Group Ukraine, stated that one should not think about tomorrow, and make some changes today instead. If you have to produce at least 8 hours of original content for each of the channels now, who can be sure that it will not be 16 or 20 hours later?  No guarantees at all. And Ukrainian viewers will definitely not like the idea to watch Latin soap operas acquired for $100 an episode the whole day long.

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