National TV company received international channel license

The National Television and Radio Council has decided to issue a license to the National Television Company of Ukraine for satellite broadcasting under the logo First Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine and other countries within the limits of consistent signal reception. This does not mean that the 1st National Channel has reached international status: it is about the establishment of a separate information and entertainment channel. According to its director-general Yegor Benkendorf, First Ukraine was established based on the Ukrainian president’s instructions and bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Russia (from last march), under which Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev promised Viktor Yanukovych to help bring one or two Ukrainian TV channels into Russia. At the same time, the national TV channel’s management has announced that First Ukraine will be covering “official information” on the state of affairs in Ukraine. In contrast to the 1st National Channel, First Ukraine will be broadcasting 24, not 18, hours a day. Although the international channel will be using 1st National Channel’s programs, its materials will differ from the domestic version. It is planned that the share of programs used will account for almost eight hours a day, out of original 21.5 hours. Some disputes have arisen about the channel’s language. The Ukrainian language is to be used for at least 75 percent of First Ukraine’s total broadcasting time, whereas state-run satellite channels go on air in Ukrainian only and other National Company licenses provide for at least 95 percent of Ukrainian language coverage. Yet National Company spokespeople claim that the amount of the Ukrainian-language product has been reduced because the channel will be beaming information on Ukraine to the entire population of Russia, not only to ethnic Ukrainians in that country.