RTVI is a global Russian-speaking multi-platform media, which includes a news website (about 4 million users per month) and other digital platforms (2.7 million subscribers): 6 YouTube channels, 2 Telegram channels and accounts in all major social networks. It broadcasts in 159 countries, has more than 350 broadcasting operators around the world and 20 million viewers.
History
1990s
The channel was founded in 1997 by Vladimir Gusinsky as a part of NTV channel. RTVI was owned by Russian businessman Ruslan Sokolov who bought the channel from Gusinsky in 2012. A group of Israeli private investors purchased RTVI International channel in 2017. In October 2019, the Armenia-born American Mikayel Israyelyan was named the new owner of RTVI.
2000s - Ownership Changes
In the early 2000s Kiselev sold a majority stake in the network to a group of Russian and foreign investors. The change brought about shifts in editorial direction and programming.
Staff
RTVi's News Director till June 2020 was Ekaterina Kotrikadze. Russian journalist Alexey Pivovarov was appointed editor-in-chief in 2016. Pivovarov remained in this position till 25 June 2020. On 10 March 2022, the general producer of RTVI Sergey Shnurov announced the temporary termination of cooperation with RTVI.