Rustavi 2
A major Georgian free-to-air television channel known for its news, current-affairs and entertainment programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Rustavi 2 is a Georgian free-to-air television channel founded in 1994 in the city of Rustavi and now based in Tbilisi. Its name refers to its place of origin and the VHF channel on which it first broadcast. The station became one of Georgia's most influential private broadcasters, particularly through its news and political programming, and has played a visible role in periods of political conflict and democratic transition. The channel opened on 1 June 1994 after Pikria Chikhradze and associates obtained a broadcasting licence for VHF channel 12 in Rustavi. It was initially identified with opposition to the government of Eduard Shevardnadze. The station reportedly ceased broadcasting in 1995 after losing its licence, but resumed operations from Tbilisi in 1996. The move helped preserve the Rustavi 2 name while transforming the channel into a national broadcaster. News has remained central to the brand. Its long-running Kurieri, or Courier, service became one of Georgia's best-known television news programmes. Rustavi 2 also developed Business Courier, focused on economics and business, and P.S., a weekly analytical programme covering politics, economic affairs, social issues, culture and international developments. The channel's news operation has maintained bureaus and regional reporters in Georgian cities including Kutaisi, Batumi, Gori, Poti and Zugdidi, as well as permanent correspondents in Washington, Brussels and Moscow, according to the channel's reference materials. Rustavi 2 acquired major political significance during the late Shevardnadze period. Government pressure on the broadcaster, including a security-police raid on its offices in October 2001, triggered public protests and contributed to a wider crisis that culminated in the Rose Revolution of November 2003. The station served as an important platform for opposition figures during that upheaval. The murder of journalist Giorgi Sanaia in July 2001 also became closely associated with concerns about political intimidation and media safety, because of his work on the channel's Night Courier programme and his reporting on alleged official corruption. Ownership has changed repeatedly. The original ownership group included Erosi Kitsmarishvili, David Dvali, Jarji Akimidze and Nika Tabatadze. Businessman Kibar Khalvashi acquired a large share in 2004, but the station was transferred in 2006 to David Bezhuashvili. Later that year, Rustavi 2 was incorporated into a media holding alongside Mze TV and Pirveli Stereo, associated with the Georgian Industrial Group and GeoMedia Group. A prolonged ownership dispute eventually returned control to Khalvashi and Panorama Ltd. The Georgian Supreme Court ruled in their favor in March 2017, and the European Court of Human Rights declined to find a violation by the Georgian courts in July 2019, allowing the transfer to proceed. The channel's editorial independence has been contested. Opinion polling cited in reference material found that many respondents viewed Rustavi 2 as representing the interests of the United National Movement during the period when that party governed Georgia. Later commentary also questioned whether the station's political alignment shifted toward the Georgian Dream party. These perceptions have formed part of the broader debate about media pluralism, ownership and political influence in Georgia. Rustavi 2 remains an operating Georgian television brand with a broad schedule spanning national news, analysis, business reporting and general programming. It is an associate member of the European Broadcasting Union and distributes content through television and digital channels. Its continuing importance rests less on international commercial expansion than on its domestic reach and its prominent place in Georgia's modern political and media history.
History
Rustavi 2 was established in 1994 in Rustavi, Georgia. Its inaugural broadcast took place on 1 June 1994 after Pikria Chikhradze and associates secured a licence to use VHF channel 12. The channel's name reflected both its place of origin and its original frequency identity. From the beginning, it was associated with opposition to the government of Eduard Shevardnadze. The broadcaster stopped transmitting in 1995 after reportedly losing its licence. It returned in 1996 from Tbilisi, where it developed into a national television operation rather than remaining a local Rustavi station. This relocation explains why the channel retained its original name while becoming one of Georgia's most important private broadcasters. Rustavi 2's news service became the foundation of its public profile. Kurieri, the channel's principal news programme, operated from the station's early years and grew into one of the most recognized news brands in Georgia. The station also introduced Business Courier in the 2006 television season, offering reporting and analysis on business conditions, economic policy and market developments. P.S. developed as a weekly analytical and educational programme addressing politics, economics, social questions, culture and international events. Night Courier was another important programme, particularly because of the work of journalist Giorgi Sanaia. The station's relationship with Georgian politics became especially consequential between 2001 and 2003. Sanaia was murdered in July 2001. Many observers regarded the killing as politically connected to his journalism and investigations into alleged official corruption, although the event remains part of a contested political history. In October that year, security police raided Rustavi 2's offices. The raid provoked demonstrations and intensified public resistance to perceived government interference with independent media. Rustavi 2 subsequently became a principal media platform for opposition leaders during the Rose Revolution in November 2003. The broadcaster's ownership changed several times. Its original owners included Erosi Kitsmarishvili, David Dvali, Jarji Akimidze and Nika Tabatadze. In July 2004, businessman Kibar Khalvashi acquired 90 percent of the shares. The reference account states that he was forced to sell the company in January 2006 to David Bezhuashvili, a member of the Georgian Parliament and brother of then foreign minister Gela Bezhuashvili. In mid-2006, Rustavi 2, Mze TV and Pirveli Stereo were brought together in a holding associated with the Georgian Industrial Group and GeoMedia Group. The ownership dispute later became the channel's defining corporate controversy. On 2 March 2017, Georgia's Supreme Court determined that Khalvashi owned 60 percent and Panorama Ltd. owned 40 percent of the company. Rustavi 2 appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, which temporarily suspended implementation while requesting further documentation. On 18 July 2019, the court found no violation by the Georgian judiciary, allowing the domestic ruling to take effect. Nika Gvaramia, who had served as general director since 2012, was replaced by Paata Salia on 18 July 2019; Salia was the lawyer representing Khalvashi. The channel has also faced continuing debate over editorial bias. Polling conducted by the National Democratic Institute between February 2012 and August 2014 found that a plurality of respondents associated Rustavi 2 with the United National Movement, or with the government when the question was framed in those terms. Later criticism questioned whether the channel's orientation had shifted toward the Georgian Dream party. Rustavi 2's own self-regulation statement provides a complaints route for people who believe that its broadcasts breach broadcaster conduct standards or affect their rights. Rustavi 2 has periodically refreshed its visual identity. It introduced a new zig-zag, abstract numeral-2 logo in March 2003, coinciding with the launch of sister channel Imedi TV, and adopted another logo during a Christmas special marking its fifteenth anniversary on 25 December 2009. The channel remains a Georgian free-to-air broadcaster with regional reporting, international correspondents, online distribution and associate membership in the European Broadcasting Union.
- 2019
European human-rights proceedings conclude
[1]The European Court of Human Rights finds no violation by Georgian courts, enabling the ownership judgment to proceed.
- 2017
Supreme Court rules on ownership
[1]The Georgian Supreme Court assigns ownership interests to Kibar Khalvashi and Panorama Ltd.
- 2012
Nika Gvaramia becomes general director
[1]Gvaramia is appointed to lead the broadcaster.
- 2006
Business Courier enters the schedule
[1]The channel introduces a programme dedicated to business news, economic analysis and market developments.
- 2003
New visual identity introduced
[1]The channel adopts an abstract zig-zag numeral-2 logo in connection with the launch of sister channel Imedi TV.
- 2003
Role in the Rose Revolution
[1]Rustavi 2 becomes a principal broadcast platform for opposition leaders during the November political upheaval.
- 2001
Giorgi Sanaia is murdered
[1]The killing of the Rustavi 2 journalist becomes associated with concerns about political violence and media safety.
- 1996
Operations resume from Tbilisi
[1]Rustavi 2 restarts broadcasting from the Georgian capital and develops into a national channel.
- 1995
Broadcasting is suspended
[1]The station reportedly stops broadcasting after losing its licence.
- 1994
Rustavi 2 begins broadcasting
[1]The channel launches on 1 June in Rustavi on VHF channel 12.
Products and positioning
A nationally prominent Georgian private broadcaster centered on news, current affairs and broad-reach television programming. Its public identity combines mass-market broadcasting with a strong political and journalistic profile.
Television news
Kurieri (Courier)
Rustavi 2's long-running flagship news service. It provides regular national and international reporting and has historically included daytime and evening editions, sports coverage and correspondent reports. The programme is widely associated with the channel's public identity and influence in Georgian broadcast journalism.
Business television · 2006
Business Courier
A business and economic affairs programme introduced during the 2006 television season. Its format combines current-affairs reporting with analysis of business conditions, economic policy, market prospects and emerging opportunities in Georgia.
Analytical television
P.S.
A weekly analytical and educational programme summarizing political, economic and social developments. It also addresses cultural issues and international events relevant to Georgia, giving the channel a longer-form current-affairs format beyond its regular news bulletins.
News and current affairs
Night Courier
A Rustavi 2 current-affairs programme associated with journalist Giorgi Sanaia. Its reporting on political matters and alleged official corruption contributed to the programme's prominence in discussions of Georgian journalism and media safety.
Controversies
2017
Rustavi 2 ownership dispute
A long-running legal dispute over the broadcaster's ownership culminated in a Georgian Supreme Court ruling in favor of Kibar Khalvashi and Panorama Ltd. The case was subsequently considered by the European Court of Human Rights, which found no violation by the Georgian courts in 2019.
2014
Editorial-bias allegations
Polling and public commentary cited in reference material questioned the channel's independence and associated it with the United National Movement; later commentary also alleged alignment with the Georgian Dream party.
2001
Murder of journalist Giorgi Sanaia
Rustavi 2 journalist Giorgi Sanaia was murdered in July 2001. Many observers linked the killing to his programme and reporting on alleged official corruption, making it a major media-safety and political controversy in Georgia.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Rose Revolution coverage
Georgia
Rustavi 2 functioned as a major television platform for opposition leaders and public communication during the events surrounding Georgia's Rose Revolution.
Outcome. The channel strengthened its reputation as a politically consequential broadcaster, while also deepening later debate about its editorial alignment.
Brand decisions
2019
Replace the general director after ownership transferOtherBackground
The European Court of Human Rights' 2019 decision removed the suspension affecting the domestic ownership judgment.
Action taken
Nika Gvaramia was replaced by Paata Salia, the lawyer representing Kibar Khalvashi.
Aftermath
The management change followed the transfer of control associated with the ownership ruling.
2003
Introduce a new channel identityStrategyBackground
Rustavi 2 refreshed its branding alongside the launch of sister channel Imedi TV.
Action taken
The broadcaster introduced a bronze, gradient-style abstract numeral-2 logo.
Aftermath
The logo became a visible marker of the channel's early-2000s identity.
1996
Move operations to TbilisiStrategyBackground
After its initial Rustavi operation stopped broadcasting, the channel needed to resume service while retaining the Rustavi 2 identity.
Action taken
Rustavi 2 restarted from Tbilisi and expanded its ambitions from a local station into a national broadcaster.
Aftermath
The move established the operating base and national profile that define the channel.
Recent events
- 2019
European Court of Human Rights lifts suspension in Rustavi 2 ownership case[1]
Lawsuit · Other
The European Court of Human Rights found no violation by the Georgian courts, removing the mechanism that had suspended implementation of the domestic ownership ruling.
- 2017
Supreme Court awards Rustavi 2 ownership to Kibar Khalvashi and Panorama Ltd.[1]
Lawsuit · M&A
The Georgian Supreme Court ruled that Kibar Khalvashi held 60 percent of the company and Panorama Ltd. held the remaining 40 percent.
- 2003
Rustavi 2 serves as a prominent media platform during the Rose Revolution[1]
Other
The channel became a major broadcast platform for opposition leaders during the political events that led to Georgia's Rose Revolution.
- 2001
Security police raid Rustavi 2 offices[1]
Regulation · Other
A security-police raid on the channel's offices prompted public anger and demonstrations against government pressure on independent media.
Sources2 sources
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