Football 1
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFootball 1 was a Ukrainian subscription television channel devoted to live football and football-related programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Football 1 was a Ukrainian sports television channel focused exclusively on football. It began broadcasting on 18 November 2008 and was presented as Ukraine's first specialized television channel dedicated solely to the sport. The channel operated as part of Media Group Ukraine, a media holding that also controlled the related Football 2 and, from 2020, Football 3 channels. Its programming centered on live and recorded football rather than general sports coverage. Football 1 carried Ukrainian competitions, including the Ukrainian Premier League, and broadcast selected European and international football. The listed international coverage included national leagues from England, Spain, Germany, France and Brazil, as well as domestic cup competitions in Italy and England. The broader Football channel group also served as a destination for international club competitions, national-team matches and other major football events. Football 1 was distributed through Ukrainian pay-television infrastructure. It was available in packages offered by more than 500 cable operators and on the Viasat satellite platform. Historical coverage data cited technical availability exceeding 85 percent of Ukrainian cable networks, giving the channel a broad domestic reach for a specialist sports service. The channel combined match rights with studio discussion, commentary and expert analysis. Oleksandr Denisov was identified as the channel's director. Its commentary and analysis roster included commentators such as Andriy Malynovskyi, Kyrylo Krutorogov, Viktor Vatsko, Oleksandr Myhaylyuk, Andriy Stoliarchuk and Roberto Morales. Former footballers and analysts including Viktor Leonenko, Serhiy Morozov, Yozhef Sabo, Viktor Hrachov, Vadym Yevtushenko, Yevhen Levchenko and Oleksandr Sopko appeared as invited experts. Serhiy Panasyuk was also associated with the channel's commentary team until his death in 2015. The service originally operated under the name Football and was renamed Football 1 in December 2013, when the channel family was expanded and differentiated as Football 1 and Football 2. Football 3 was added on 1 February 2020. The group subsequently ceased broadcasting on 22 July 2022. The closure followed Rinat Akhmetov's exit from his media assets and the associated shutdown of Media Group Ukraine's television operations. Football 1 is therefore a defunct television brand rather than an active sports network, although its official website remains associated with the brand.
History
Football 1 originated as Football, a Ukrainian television channel launched on 18 November 2008. It was created as a specialist service devoted exclusively to football, distinguishing it from broader sports channels by concentrating its schedule on matches, football news, commentary and analysis. The channel was associated with Media Group Ukraine and became part of a dedicated football television portfolio serving the Ukrainian pay-TV market. The channel's rights and programming strategy combined domestic Ukrainian football with selected international competitions. It was identified as an official broadcaster of the Ukrainian Premier League and also carried matches from major European national leagues, including those of England, Spain, Germany and France. Coverage also extended to Brazil and to selected domestic cup competitions in Italy and England. The wider channel group broadcast Ukrainian and European club competitions, international matches and other football events, making the brand a central specialist outlet for football viewers in Ukraine. Distribution was built through cable and satellite operators rather than a primarily terrestrial model. Football 1 was included in packages offered by more than 500 cable operators across Ukraine and was available through the Viasat satellite platform. Historical industry data cited technical cable-network coverage above 85 percent. This distribution footprint gave the channel substantial national reach despite its narrow editorial focus. The service developed a recognizable on-air team. Oleksandr Denisov was listed as its director. Commentary was provided by several Ukrainian football broadcasters, including Andriy Malynovskyi, Kyrylo Krutorogov, Viktor Vatsko, Oleksandr Myhaylyuk, Andriy Stoliarchuk and Roberto Morales. Serhiy Panasyuk was part of the commentary team until his death in 2015. The channel also invited former players and football analysts such as Viktor Leonenko, Serhiy Morozov, Yozhef Sabo, Viktor Hrachov, Vadym Yevtushenko, Yevhen Levchenko and Oleksandr Sopko to contribute expert perspectives. In December 2013, Football was renamed Football 1. The renaming reflected the creation of a multi-channel football structure, with Football 2 operating alongside it. The portfolio expanded again on 1 February 2020 with the launch of Football 3. The three channels together were positioned to handle a larger range of domestic and international fixtures and supporting programming. The brand's operating life ended in 2022. Football 1, along with the related Football channels, ceased broadcasting on 22 July 2022. The shutdown followed Rinat Akhmetov's exit from his media assets and the consequent end of Media Group Ukraine's television operations. Football 1 is consequently documented as a defunct Ukrainian football broadcaster. Its website remains the principal online reference associated with the channel, but the television service itself no longer operates.
- 2022
Broadcasting ends
[1]Football 1 ceased broadcasting on 22 July after the closure of Media Group Ukraine's television operations.
- 2020
Football 3 launches
[1]The related Football 3 channel launched on 1 February 2020.
- 2013
The channel adopts the Football 1 name
[1]The original Football service was renamed Football 1 in December as the related Football channel portfolio developed.
- 2008
Football begins broadcasting
[1]The specialist football channel began broadcasting in Ukraine on 18 November.
Products and positioning
A dedicated Ukrainian pay-television football channel combining domestic rights, selected European and international competitions, live commentary and studio analysis.
Sports television channel · 2008
Football 1
A Ukrainian pay-television channel devoted to football broadcasts, including Ukrainian Premier League fixtures, selected European and Brazilian league matches, selected domestic cup matches, football news, commentary and expert discussion. It was distributed through cable operators and the Viasat satellite platform. The service was discontinued in July 2022.
Brand decisions
2022
Termination of the television serviceStrategyBackground
Rinat Akhmetov exited his media assets, leading to the closure of Media Group Ukraine's television operations.
Action taken
Football 1 stopped broadcasting on 22 July 2022.
Aftermath
The Football channel family became defunct.
2020
Expansion of the Football channel portfolioProduct launchBackground
Media Group Ukraine operated a growing group of football-specialist channels.
Action taken
Football 3 launched on 1 February 2020 alongside Football 1 and Football 2.
Aftermath
The portfolio offered three related channels for Ukrainian and international football programming until the group ceased broadcasting in 2022.
2013
Rebrand from Football to Football 1StrategyBackground
The original Football channel was being organized within a broader family of football-focused services.
Action taken
The channel changed its name to Football 1 in December 2013, alongside the related Football 2 service.
Aftermath
The new naming structure enabled the group to distinguish multiple football channels and later accommodate Football 3.
Sources2 sources
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