NewsOne
A Ukrainian information and educational television channel known for its pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian editorial orientation, which operated from 2005 until its signal was blocked in 2021.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
NewsOne was a Ukrainian information and educational television channel that broadcast from 2005 to 2021. It became known for a strongly pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian editorial orientation and was regarded as one of the principal pro-Russian television outlets operating in Ukraine during the late 2010s and early 2020s. The channel presented news, political discussion and other information-oriented programming, distributing its signal through Ukrainian cable and terrestrial networks as well as satellite services reaching Ukraine and parts of Europe. The channel passed through several ownership changes. Before August 2010, it was associated with Rudolf Kirnos, who also owned RU Music. In August 2010, half of the shares passed to Vadym Rabinovych's Media International Group. In May 2011, Rabinovych personally acquired the remaining half, and by January 2012 both stakes had been consolidated under his direct ownership. On 17 January 2014, Yevhen Muraev, a politician associated with the Party of Regions, acquired the channel from Rabinovych. During 2014 and 2015, the station changed senior management, appointed a new general producer and modernized its presentation. It introduced 16:9 broadcasting in November 2014 and changed its logo, visual identity, graphics and studio in August 2015. NewsOne's visibility increased during the second half of the 2010s. At the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, it was described as Ukraine's third most popular information channel. In 2016, it became available through major Ukrainian cable networks and was distributed in analogue and digital formats, including HD and SD. It also appeared in the Kyiv-region DVB-T terrestrial digital package. Satellite transmission through Astra 4A extended the channel's reach to Ukraine, Europe and western parts of European Russia. The channel's political profile became increasingly controversial. In November 2017, during the program Ukrainian Format, then-owner Yevhen Muraev characterized the Revolution of Dignity as a coup and defended narratives associated with Russian propaganda. The remarks prompted criticism from participants and members of the public, and media critic Inna Dolzhenkova accused Muraev of treason in a Media Detector article. The channel was also criticized for promoting political forces aligned with its owners and their political positions. Ownership shifted again in 2018. Andriy Portnov was identified as the owner between 31 August and 5 October 2018, after which Taras Kozak became the owner. On 14 June 2019, NewsOne joined the Novyny media holding alongside ZIK and 112 Ukraine. The holding was formally associated with Kozak and widely described as being unofficially controlled by Viktor Medvedchuk, a prominent pro-Russian Ukrainian politician and associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. On 2 February 2021, following a decision by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and a decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the signals of NewsOne and the other channels in the holding were blocked. The action was justified by the authorities with reference to the owners' anti-Ukrainian activities. NewsOne therefore ceased operating under its original identity. On 26 February 2021, a replacement channel called First Independent was created from the closed outlets NewsOne, ZIK and 112 Ukraine, with journalists from those channels moving to the new service. The transition marked the end of NewsOne as an operating television brand.
History
NewsOne operated as a Ukrainian information and educational television channel from 2005 until 2021. Its programming centered on news, political discussion and related information content. The station was distributed through cable, terrestrial digital and satellite systems, giving it coverage in Ukraine and additional reach across Europe. The channel's ownership changed repeatedly. It was associated with Rudolf Kirnos until August 2010, when half of its shares passed to Vadym Rabinovych's Media International Group. Rabinovych personally acquired the other half in May 2011 and consolidated ownership in January 2012. On 17 January 2014, politician Yevhen Muraev bought NewsOne from Rabinovych. During 2014, Igor Zolotarevsky became associated with the channel's leadership, while Daryna Ogir and Anton Averyanov were identified in relation to its management and editorial structure. NewsOne adopted 16:9 broadcasting on 10 November 2014. In March 2015, Oleksiy Semenov became general producer, and in August the station introduced a new logo, graphics system, studio and overall design. NewsOne gained prominence in the Ukrainian information-channel market during late 2015 and early 2016, when it was described as the country's third most popular information channel. Its distribution expanded through major cable networks, analogue and digital services, HD and SD formats, and the Kyiv-region DVB-T terrestrial package. Satellite transmission through Astra 4A served Ukraine, Europe and western areas of European Russia. The station's editorial orientation was a persistent source of criticism. It was widely characterized as pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian, and critics argued that its programming supported political forces close to its owners. A notable controversy followed a 29 November 2017 episode of Ukrainian Format, in which Muraev described the Revolution of Dignity as a coup and defended narratives associated with Russian propaganda. The remarks attracted criticism from politicians and viewers, and media critic Inna Dolzhenkova accused Muraev of treason. NewsOne changed hands again in 2018. Andriy Portnov was identified as the owner from 31 August to 5 October, after which Taras Kozak acquired the channel. On 14 June 2019, NewsOne became part of the Novyny media holding with ZIK and 112 Ukraine. Although Kozak was the formal owner, the holding was widely described as being unofficially controlled by Viktor Medvedchuk, a powerful pro-Russian Ukrainian politician. The channel's operation ended after Ukrainian authorities acted against the holding. On 2 February 2021, a decision of the National Security and Defense Council, implemented through a presidential decree signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blocked the signals of NewsOne, ZIK and 112 Ukraine. The authorities cited anti-Ukrainian activities connected with the owners. On 26 February 2021, a new channel named First Independent was formed from the closed outlets, and journalists from NewsOne and the other channels moved to it. NewsOne did not resume broadcasting under its original brand.
- 2021
Signal blocked and brand discontinued
[1]Ukraine blocks the channel's signal in February, after which its journalists and resources contribute to First Independent.
- 2019
Entry into the Novyny holding
[1]NewsOne joins the Novyny media holding alongside ZIK and 112 Ukraine.
- 2018
Taras Kozak becomes owner
[1]After a short ownership period associated with Andriy Portnov, Taras Kozak acquires NewsOne in October.
- 2016
Expanded Ukrainian distribution
[1]The channel is included in major Ukrainian cable networks and in the Kyiv-region DVB-T package, with analogue, digital, HD and SD availability.
- 2015
New production leadership and visual identity
[1]Oleksiy Semenov becomes general producer, followed by a redesign of the logo, graphics, studio and channel presentation.
- 2014
Yevhen Muraev acquires the channel
[1]Muraev purchases NewsOne from Rabinovych and new channel leadership is reported.
- 2014
Transition to 16:9 broadcasting
[1]NewsOne starts broadcasting in the 16:9 widescreen format.
- 2012
Rabinovych consolidates ownership
[1]The two ownership stakes are consolidated under Rabinovych's direct ownership.
- 2010
Partial ownership passes to Media International Group
[1]Half of the channel's shares passes to Vadym Rabinovych's Media International Group.
- 2005
NewsOne begins operations
[1]The Ukrainian information and educational television channel begins broadcasting.
Products and positioning
An information-led Ukrainian television channel positioned around news, political debate and educational programming, but widely characterized by a pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian editorial line.
Information and educational television · 2005
NewsOne television channel
NewsOne was the brand's principal and effectively sole offering: a Ukrainian television service built around news coverage, political discussion and information-oriented programming. It distributed content through cable networks, terrestrial digital transmission and satellite, including HD and SD feeds. The station operated under the NewsOne name from 2005 until its signal was blocked in February 2021.
Controversies
2021
Government blocking of NewsOne
The National Security and Defense Council and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blocked NewsOne's signal along with those of ZIK and 112 Ukraine. The government cited anti-Ukrainian activities attributed to the channels' owners.
2017
Controversy over Revolution of Dignity coverage
During Ukrainian Format on 29 November 2017, Yevhen Muraev described the Revolution of Dignity as a coup and defended narratives associated with Russian propaganda. The statements drew criticism from politicians and viewers, while media critic Inna Dolzhenkova accused Muraev of treason.
Brand decisions
2021
End broadcasting after government sanctionsOtherBackground
Ukrainian authorities cited anti-Ukrainian activities connected with the owners of NewsOne and the other channels in the Novyny holding.
Action taken
On 2 February 2021, the National Security and Defense Council decision and presidential decree blocked the channel's signal.
Aftermath
NewsOne ceased operating under its original brand, and journalists from the closed channels later joined First Independent.
2015
Refresh the channel's presentationStrategyBackground
NewsOne was developing its position in Ukraine's competitive information-channel market.
Action taken
The channel changed its logo, design, graphics and studio in August 2015.
Aftermath
The redesign accompanied the channel's wider distribution and increased prominence during the late 2015 and early 2016 period.
Recent events
- 2021
First Independent is created from closed holding channels[1]
Product launch · Regulation
A new channel, First Independent, was established using the closed channels' resources and journalists, including personnel from NewsOne.
- 2019
NewsOne becomes part of the Novyny media holding[1]
M&A · Other
NewsOne joined a holding that also included ZIK and 112 Ukraine. The holding was formally associated with Taras Kozak and widely linked to Viktor Medvedchuk.
- 2015
NewsOne appoints Oleksiy Semenov as general producer[1]
Leadership change
Media manager Oleksiy Semenov became the channel's general producer.
- 2015
NewsOne refreshes its brand identity and studio[1]
Other
The channel introduced a new logo, visual design, graphics package and studio.
- 2014
NewsOne begins broadcasting in 16:9 format[1]
Other
The channel moved to widescreen 16:9 broadcasting as part of its technical and presentation development.
Sources1 sources
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