A SECOND LANGUAGE FOR RUSSIA TODAY
Russia Today is making its mark on the international TV landscape, providing new perspectives on how the world views Russia

Russia Today, the first Russian news channel to broadcast 24/7 in English, was launched in December 2005. Founded to become the main source of information about Russia for foreign audiences, the appearance of the new player has not gone unnoticed.

“For millions of international viewers, Russia Today has provided an opportunity to broaden their ‘information map of the world’ and overcome many of the stereotypes about our country”, comments Margarita Simoniyan, Editor-in-Chief of Russia Today. “We have had a huge responsibility to reflect the dynamically developing modern Russia, which has drawn the world’s attention. Our objective is to demonstrate the spirit of new Russia in our news coverage, programmes, documentaries, and even in the studio’s design.

Russia Today both informs its audience on significant events in Russia, while also giving a Russian perspective on global events. Over our first year, viewers have become increasingly
interested in the channel, and we have won great recognition from the professional media fraternity, which has been supported by the opening of our international bureaux, in Washington, New York, Cairo, Jerusalem, London, Paris, Kiev, Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz. The channel can be accessed free-to-air via the HOT BIRD™ 6 and EUROBIRD™ 1 satellites, as well as via the Internet. Russia Today is also available on several satellite pay-TV platforms, including BSkyB, NTV+, and MultiChoice in South Africa.”

Following the success of the English-language channel, an Arabic-language channel, Rusiya Al-Yaum is due to be launched later this year. Rusiya Al-Yaum will broadcast free-to-air, 20-hours per day, via HOT BIRD™ 6, EUROBIRD™ 2 and ATLANTIC BIRD™ 4. Aimed at viewers in Arab and European countries, the channel will present news reports on current events, notably in Russia and the Arab world, but also worldwide. The Rusiya Al-Yaum team includes Russian and Arabic journalists, as well as specialists on the Arab world and the Orient. Along with news coverage, Rusiya Al-Yaum will also broadcast documentaries, press reviews and analytical programmes informing Arabic-speaking viewers on the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of modern Russia.