Imedi Media Holding
Corporate brand
UnclaimedImedi Media Holding is a Georgian private broadcasting group operating television, radio, and digital news services.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Imedi Media Holding is a Georgian private media group whose principal assets include Imedi Television, Radio Imedi, and associated digital news services. The group is based in Tbilisi and serves the Georgian market through news, analytical programming, entertainment, music, and sports coverage. The name Imedi means “hope” in Georgian. Radio Imedi first went on air in Tbilisi in December 2001 on 105.9 FM and expanded to continuous broadcasting across Georgia in December 2003. The television operation was established in March 2003 by media entrepreneur Badri Patarkatsishvili. It was described at the time as Georgia’s first independently owned broadcaster and became especially prominent for its political reporting and analytical coverage. During the 2007 Georgian demonstrations, Imedi was a major source of opposition-oriented coverage and broadcast footage of the government response. The company’s history has been closely connected to Georgia’s political conflicts and disputes over media independence. On 7 November 2007, riot police entered Imedi’s offices while the station was covering demonstrations. The broadcaster went off air, its facilities were reportedly damaged, and the Georgian National Communications Commission suspended its television license for three months. Authorities accused the station of broadcasting destabilizing or inaccurate information and of being used by Patarkatsishvili for political purposes. Critics inside and outside Georgia viewed the raid and subsequent ownership measures as an attack on private property and press freedom. After Patarkatsishvili’s death in 2008, control of Imedi became the subject of litigation involving his family, Joseph Kay, Georgian state institutions, and other representatives of the estate. A settlement in 2011 led to the family renouncing claims in exchange for a resolution of the wider dispute. Following the 2012 parliamentary elections, ownership was transferred back toward the Patarkatsishvili family, and Inna Gudavadze became the reported owner of Imedi through Georgia Media Production Group. The ownership process also generated criminal investigations and continuing political controversy. Imedi attracted international attention again in March 2010 when it broadcast a simulated news report presenting a fictional Russian invasion of Georgia as if it were unfolding. The program described attacks, government evacuation, senior political deaths, and military developments before identifying itself as a hypothetical scenario. The broadcast caused widespread public alarm and was condemned by Georgian and international figures. It remains one of the most controversial incidents in the history of Georgian television. The broadcaster is currently described as supportive of the Georgian Dream-led government, a position that contrasts with its earlier reputation as a critical or opposition-oriented outlet. In February 2026, Prime Media Global and the Imedi management team reportedly acquired the station from Hunnewell Partners, associated with Irakli Rukhadze. On 24 February 2026, the United Kingdom sanctioned Imedi Media Holding together with Pos TV under its Russia sanctions regime, citing an assessed role in disseminating Russian state-aligned disinformation. The company therefore occupies an influential but politically contested position in Georgia’s media environment.
History
Imedi’s origins date to Radio Imedi, which began broadcasting on 105.9 FM in Tbilisi in December 2001. By December 2003, the radio service was broadcasting around the clock across Georgia. The television operation was founded in March 2003 by Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian media entrepreneur who positioned the broadcaster as an independently owned alternative in the country’s developing television market. The station quickly became important in national political life. It focused on news and analysis while also carrying entertainment, music, and other general programming. During the 2007 Georgian demonstrations, Imedi broadcast statements from opposition figures and images of the police response. Its critical posture toward President Mikheil Saakashvili’s government made it a central target in the dispute over media pluralism and political influence. On 7 November 2007, riot police entered the station’s offices, interrupting its broadcasts. The premises and equipment were reportedly damaged. The Georgian National Communications Commission subsequently suspended Imedi TV’s license for three months, arguing that the station had broadcast information about a possible police assault on the Holy Trinity Cathedral that could intensify unrest. Government officials also alleged that Patarkatsishvili controlled the station’s editorial policy and used it to encourage protests. The shutdown was criticized by Western observers as part of a broader assault on private property and press freedom. The station resumed broadcasting on 12 December after a court order unfroze its assets. Ownership became increasingly contested after Patarkatsishvili died in February 2008. Joseph Kay claimed authority over parts of the estate, while the founder’s family challenged his position and sought the return of Imedi and other assets. A preliminary 2007 agreement involving News Corporation had been announced, but the reported material does not establish that an equity transfer was completed. The ownership dispute extended into international arbitration, including a claim brought by Patarkatsishvili’s widow, Inna Gudavadze, against the Georgian government. A settlement reached in 2011 ended the family’s arbitration claims in return for a broader compromise concerning Imedi and other assets. After the 2012 parliamentary elections, the new government initiated steps to return control of Georgia Media Production Group and Imedi toward the Patarkatsishvili family. In November 2012, Joseph Kay reportedly returned his remaining interest, leaving Inna Gudavadze as the reported 100-percent owner. The transfer was accompanied by further political and legal controversy, including an investigation into alleged pressure used to obtain control of the company. On 13 March 2010, while the station was effectively under government control, Imedi broadcast a half-hour simulated news report describing a fictional Russian invasion. The report presented invented military attacks, political deaths, government evacuation, and the establishment of an opposition-led government before explaining that it represented possible events. The broadcast caused panic among viewers, prompted military defensive measures, and drew condemnation from public and religious figures. The incident remains a defining example of the risks associated with dramatized or deceptive political broadcasting. In the years after the 2012 political transition, Imedi’s perceived editorial orientation changed. The group became associated with support for the Georgian Dream-led government, in contrast to its earlier reputation as an anti-government broadcaster. Its current portfolio includes Imedi TV, Radio Imedi, and digital news operations such as Imedinews.ge. In February 2026, the group was reported to have changed hands again, with Prime Media Global and the Imedi management team acquiring it from Hunnewell Partners. On 24 February 2026, the United Kingdom added Imedi Media Holding to its sanctions framework, alleging involvement in Russian state-aligned information manipulation.
- 2026
New ownership and UK sanctions
[1]Prime Media Global and the management team acquire the group, while the United Kingdom imposes sanctions over alleged information manipulation.
- 2012
Ownership returns to the founder’s family
[1]A court-backed process returns the remaining disputed interest to the Patarkatsishvili family.
- 2010
Simulated invasion broadcast
[1]The station airs a fictional report portraying a Russian invasion of Georgia as an unfolding event.
- 2007
Police raid and broadcast suspension
[1]Police raid Imedi during demonstrations, after which the regulator suspends its television license.
- 2007
Broadcasts resume
[1]Imedi TV returns to air on 12 December after a thirty-four-day shutdown.
- 2003
Television operation founded
[1]Badri Patarkatsishvili establishes Imedi’s television service as an independently owned Georgian broadcaster.
- 2001
Radio Imedi launches
[1]Radio Imedi begins broadcasting on 105.9 FM in Tbilisi.
Products and positioning
A major Georgian broadcast group combining television, radio, and digital news, with a strong emphasis on current affairs and national political coverage.
Television broadcasting · 2003
Imedi TV
The group’s principal television service, combining news and analytical coverage with entertainment, music, and sports programming. It has been one of Georgia’s most politically influential broadcasters and has moved from an early independent and critical identity to an outlet widely associated with support for the Georgian Dream-led government.
Radio broadcasting · 2001
Radio Imedi
The radio service began in Tbilisi in 2001 and expanded to 24-hour broadcasting across Georgia by 2003. Its programming has included news, analysis, and popular music, particularly during nighttime hours.
Digital news
Imedinews.ge
Imedinews.ge is the group’s online news portal, extending Imedi’s reporting and current-affairs output to digital audiences in Georgia.
Controversies
2026
UK sanctions over alleged information manipulation
The United Kingdom sanctioned Imedi Media Holding under its Russia sanctions framework, citing an assessed role in disseminating Russian state-aligned disinformation.
2022
Imedi apologizes over anti-Armenian captions in broadcast
In a report about matsun deliveries, captions on product bottles appeared on screen. Imedi stated that a Google image had been used and that the error was made by a technical staff member. The broadcaster expressed regret, apologized, and said the segment would be removed from its social platforms.
2010
Simulated Russian invasion report
Imedi broadcast a fictional report describing an apparent Russian invasion, government evacuation, political deaths, and military attacks. The report caused public panic and was condemned for presenting a hypothetical scenario in a highly realistic news format.
2007
Police raid and forced shutdown
Imedi was taken off air after riot police entered its offices while it covered anti-government demonstrations. The incident became a major controversy over press freedom, state power, and the treatment of private media in Georgia.
Brand decisions
2026
Sale to Prime Media Global and managementM&ABackground
The group was reportedly owned by Hunnewell Partners before the 2026 transaction.
Action taken
Prime Media Global and the Imedi management team acquired the station and became its reported co-owners.
Aftermath
The ownership change was followed by UK sanctions against the holding company.
2010
Broadcast of a simulated invasion scenarioOtherBackground
The program was framed as a warning about possible developments if Georgian society failed to unite against Russia.
Action taken
Imedi aired a realistic half-hour fictional news bulletin depicting an invasion and the collapse of the government.
Aftermath
The broadcast triggered widespread fear, public condemnation, and calls for possible legal action.
2007
Expansion of critical political coverageStrategyBackground
Imedi’s news operation became a prominent platform for opposition statements and reporting on the government response to the 2007 demonstrations.
Action taken
The broadcaster continued carrying protest-related coverage despite increasing pressure from government institutions.
Aftermath
Police raided the station, the broadcast was interrupted, and the regulator suspended its license.
Recent events
Reported
Imedi apologizes over anti-Armenian captions in broadcast[2]
After captions on product bottles appeared in a report about matsun deliveries, Imedi said a Google image had been used and the error was made by a technical staff member. The broadcaster expressed regret, apologized, and said the segment would be removed from its social platforms.
Sources2 sources
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