TVi was a Ukrainian television channel known for independent and strongly critical political news coverage.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
TVi was a Ukrainian television channel that began broadcasting on 17 March 2008. It was established by Russian businessmen Vladimir Gusinsky and Konstantin Kagalovsky, who were living outside Russia, and Kagalovsky continued financing the channel after the two men became involved in a business dispute. TVi developed a reputation as one of Ukraine's few television outlets offering independent and critical news coverage, particularly in relation to the government of President Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrainian media watchdog Telekrytyka described TVi and 5 Kanal in 2010 as the country's remaining television channels with independent and fair news coverage. The channel combined news, current-affairs programming, investigative journalism, documentaries, political discussion, and selected international factual content. Its schedule included the news service Today, the daily discussion program The Truth, the crime and emergency program 112 Emergency, the investigative show Exclamation Mark, the political program Black and White, and Taste of Europe, a discussion-and-cooking program focused on European values, Ukraine's relations with Poland, and the country's possible European and NATO integration. TVi also carried documentary material from international suppliers including National Geographic, AETN, and Discovery, while producing approximately ten hours of original programming each week according to the referenced account. TVi's distribution reached much of Ukraine through cable and satellite systems and through agreements with regional operators. It was reported to be available on more than 90 percent of Ukrainian cable networks, although it did not receive a digital broadcasting licence in 2011. TVi argued that its critical editorial position contributed to the denial of that licence and said the decision restricted its potential reach to a substantially smaller share of the population than the selected digital channels. The channel faced several episodes of pressure and controversy. In 2010, its general director Mykola Knyazhytsky accused Ukraine's security service of monitoring the station after a suspicious vehicle was observed outside its premises; Reporters Without Borders condemned the alleged surveillance as harassment. In 2012, TVi said that tax officials were seeking documents from entrepreneurs connected with the channel's financing. Knyazhytsky characterized the inquiries as intimidation, although the tax-related charges were later dropped. TVi's most consequential crisis came in April 2013, when Oleksandr Altman was officially registered as owner. Kagalovsky disputed the transaction and alleged that the documents showing his sale of the station had been forged. Employees went on strike because they feared the change would compromise TVi's ability to report critically on the government. Thirty-one journalists resigned on 29 April 2013, later establishing the web-based journalism project that became Hromadske.TV. The new management said it intended to turn TVi into a broader mainstream channel comparable to major Ukrainian commercial broadcasters, with the transformation initially targeted for completion by September 2013. TVi stopped broadcasting on 23 March 2015 after exhausting its financial resources. Its broadcast licence was revoked in March 2016. The reference material also records a resumption of broadcasting on 10 October 2018 for two years, but does not establish the channel's subsequent operating status. TVi therefore should not be treated as a Thai food brand or as an active consumer-goods label; its authoritative subject is the Ukrainian television channel identified by the disambiguated Wikipedia title.
History
TVi launched in Ukraine on 17 March 2008. The channel was created by Vladimir Gusinsky and Konstantin Kagalovsky, two Russian businessmen living in exile. A business dispute later separated the founders, while Kagalovsky continued to finance the station. From its early years, TVi presented itself as an independent Ukrainian broadcaster and became particularly associated with critical reporting about the government of President Viktor Yanukovych. By 2010, Ukrainian media watchdog Telekrytyka identified TVi and 5 Kanal as the only remaining Ukrainian television channels it regarded as providing independent and fair news coverage. TVi's national distribution relied mainly on cable and satellite networks and partnerships with regional operators. It was reported to reach more than 90 percent of Ukrainian cable networks. The channel was not awarded a digital broadcasting licence in 2011, however, limiting its potential access compared with channels selected for digital distribution. TVi attributed the decision to its critical editorial stance toward Yanukovych. The station's editorial profile was supported by news, current affairs, investigative reports, political interviews, documentaries, and international factual programming. Its principal programs included Today, a weekday news service; The Truth, a daily talk show hosted by Roman Skrypin and Vitaly Portnikov; 112 Emergency, a weekly program about accidents and crime; Exclamation Mark, a weekly investigative program hosted by Artem Shevchenko; Black and White, a political discussion program; and Taste of Europe, which combined political discussion and cooking while examining European values and Ukraine's relationship with Poland and Europe. TVi also showed documentary material supplied by National Geographic, AETN, and Discovery and reportedly produced about ten hours of original programming each week. TVi experienced repeated allegations of political pressure. In June 2010, a vehicle and its occupants were observed outside the station while apparently monitoring its activities. General director Mykola Knyazhytsky accused the Security Service of Ukraine of involvement, and Reporters Without Borders condemned the reported incident. In April 2012, tax officials sought contractual and related documents from at least three entrepreneurs connected with TVi. Knyazhytsky described the inquiries as an attempt to intimidate the station. The charges were dropped in August 2012. Leadership also changed during this period. Editorial-board chairman Mykola Knyazhytsky left TVi after being elected to Ukraine's parliament in the 2012 parliamentary election. Vitaly Portnikov served as the channel's president. A major crisis followed in April 2013, when Oleksandr Altman was officially registered as the owner. Kagalovsky said the transfer documents were forged and denied having validly sold the station. TVi staff went on strike, fearing that the ownership change would eliminate the channel's independence. Thirty-one journalists resigned on 29 April, including Mustafa Nayem and other prominent reporters. Their subsequent online journalism initiative developed into Hromadske.TV. The new management stated in early May 2013 that it intended to turn TVi into a broad mainstream channel resembling major Ukrainian commercial networks. This plan was expected to be completed by September 2013, but the station's financial position deteriorated. TVi ceased broadcasting on 23 March 2015 because its financial resources had been exhausted. Its broadcasting licence was revoked in March 2016. The available account additionally says that the channel resumed broadcasting on 10 October 2018 for two years, but does not provide enough information to establish its later ownership, programming, or current status.
- 2018
Reported return to broadcasting
[1]The available reference records a resumption of broadcasting on 10 October for two years.
- 2016
Licence revoked
[1]TVi's broadcast licence is revoked in March.
- 2015
Broadcasting stops
[1]TVi suspends broadcasts on 23 March because it has exhausted its financial resources.
- 2013
Disputed ownership transfer
[1]Oleksandr Altman is registered as owner, while Kagalovsky alleges that the transfer documents were forged.
- 2011
TVi Europe launches
[1]The European satellite service launches on 22 November.
- 2010
TVi gains recognition for independent news
[1]Telekrytyka identifies TVi and 5 Kanal as Ukraine's remaining channels with independent and fair news coverage.
- 2008
TVi launches
[1]TVi begins broadcasting in Ukraine on 17 March.
Products and positioning
Independent Ukrainian television news and current-affairs channel with critical coverage of government and politics.
Television channel · 2008
TVi television channel
The core Ukrainian channel offered news, political discussion, investigative journalism, documentaries, emergency and crime reporting, and international factual programming. Its editorial identity was associated with independent and critical coverage of Ukrainian government activity.
Satellite television service · 2011
TVi Europe
Launched in November 2011, TVi Europe extended the TVi service by satellite to viewers in Ukraine and other European countries. The available source describes it as the first Ukrainian and Polish television channel broadcast via satellite, but does not provide later operating details.
Controversies
2013
Disputed ownership takeover
Oleksandr Altman was registered as TVi's owner in April 2013. Former owner Konstantin Kagalovsky disputed the transfer and alleged that the sale documents were forged. Staff members feared the change would weaken the channel's editorial independence, leading to a strike and the resignation of 31 journalists.
2012
Tax investigation and alleged intimidation
Tax officials requested business documents from entrepreneurs linked to TVi's financing. The station's director characterized the inquiries as intimidation; the charges were later dropped.
2010
Alleged surveillance of the station
TVi's general director accused Ukraine's security service of monitoring the station after a suspicious vehicle was observed outside its premises. Reporters Without Borders condemned the alleged surveillance as harassment.
Brand decisions
2013
Management plans a mainstream repositioningStrategyBackground
After the disputed ownership change, the new management said TVi should become a broader general-interest channel comparable to major Ukrainian commercial broadcasters.
Action taken
Management announced a plan to complete the transformation by September 2013.
Aftermath
The available sources do not document completion of the plan. The channel later stopped broadcasting in 2015 because of financial problems.
2011
Launch of TVi EuropeProduct launchBackground
TVi sought to extend its Ukrainian television service beyond the domestic market.
Action taken
TVi Europe began satellite broadcasting to Ukraine and other European countries on 22 November.
Aftermath
The available reference does not provide subsequent audience or operating data.
Reported investment. $5 million (2011)
Sources1 sources
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