TV Rain
Russian-language independent television and digital news channel founded in 2010 and now operating from exile in the Netherlands.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
TV Rain, also known by its Russian name Dozhd, is an independent Russian-language television and digital media channel. It was launched in Russia in 2010 by media entrepreneur Natalya Sindeyeva and television and documentary director Vera Krichevskaya. The channel developed a distinctive position in the Russian media market by combining live news, political discussion, cultural programming, business reporting, interviews, and documentaries. Its slogan, often translated as “Optimistic Channel,” reflected an editorial identity built around direct conversation, open debate, and coverage of subjects that were difficult to find on state-controlled television. The channel’s early growth coincided with a period of heightened political activity in Russia. TV Rain was among the first broadcasters to report extensively on the protests that followed the disputed 2011 parliamentary elections. Its coverage, and its decision to display the white ribbon associated with the protest movement, increased its visibility but also intensified scrutiny from officials and pro-government critics. The station maintained that it sought to act as a mediator and independent journalistic platform rather than as a partisan organization. A major turning point came in January 2014, when the channel published an online and on-air poll asking whether Leningrad should have been surrendered during the Second World War siege to save civilian lives. TV Rain removed the poll shortly afterward and apologized for its wording, but the incident triggered condemnation from politicians and regulators. Major Russian television distributors subsequently dropped the channel, sharply reducing its reach and advertising income. TV Rain responded by emphasizing subscriptions, donations, fundraising broadcasts, and online distribution. The Russian state designated TV Rain a “foreign agent” in August 2021. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, authorities restricted access to the channel, accusing it of disseminating false information about the military. TV Rain suspended operations in Russia in March 2022, ending its final broadcast with footage of Swan Lake, a symbolic reference to the use of the ballet during the 1991 Soviet coup attempt when Soviet television could not report freely. The channel reconstructed its operations outside Russia. It received a Latvian broadcasting license in June 2022 and resumed live broadcasting from Riga in July, while also planning production in the Netherlands, France, and Georgia. In December 2022, Latvia’s media regulator cancelled the license after a series of disputes, including a presenter’s statement about helping Russian soldiers with equipment and alleged violations involving a map of Crimea and the description of the Russian military as “our army.” The regulator cited national security and public-order concerns. TV Rain continued to operate through digital channels and later obtained a Dutch broadcasting license, with Amsterdam becoming its editorial base. In July 2025, a Latvian court overturned the license revocation. TV Rain’s business model has combined advertising, paid subscriptions, donations, merchandise, and external support. The channel was initially financed by Sindeyeva and later by her husband, banker Alexander Vinokurov. Its shift from cable television toward web streaming and YouTube became essential after distributor withdrawals and state restrictions. The service remains focused on Russian-language journalism for audiences in Russia and abroad, especially viewers seeking independent reporting on Russian politics, the war in Ukraine, civil society, culture, and public affairs.
History
TV Rain was established in 2010 by Natalya Sindeyeva and Vera Krichevskaya as a niche Russian television project. Sindeyeva provided the initial entrepreneurial leadership, while Krichevskaya contributed television and documentary experience. The channel positioned itself around live journalism, interviews, debate, culture, business, and documentary storytelling. Its programming was designed to engage directly with guests and viewers and to discuss public issues outside the narrower formats common on Russian state television. The channel gained national attention during the protests surrounding the 2011 parliamentary elections. TV Rain reported on demonstrations and used the white ribbon, a protest symbol, near its logo. This editorial choice demonstrated its willingness to cover political opposition and civil-society activity, while also exposing it to official pressure. In December 2011, authorities requested copies of its protest coverage to examine compliance with media law. In January 2014, TV Rain became the subject of an intense political controversy after publishing a poll about whether Leningrad should have surrendered during the siege in order to reduce civilian deaths. The poll was quickly withdrawn and the channel apologized, but the incident led to criticism from senior officials, lawmakers, and regulators. Russian cable and satellite distributors subsequently removed TV Rain from their packages. The resulting loss of audience and advertising forced the channel to move much of its operation into a private apartment and to rely increasingly on subscriptions, fundraising, online video, and other direct-support mechanisms. TV Rain continued producing critical journalism, including reporting on officials and corruption. Its financial model combined advertising with subscriptions, donations, merchandise, and outside support. The channel also received recognition including a TEFI award, a Runet Prize, the Free Media Award, and the Peabody Journalistic Integrity Award. Several of its journalists received Redkollegia awards, and former editor-in-chief Mikhail Zygar received an international press-freedom award from the Committee to Protect Journalists. In August 2021, the Russian Ministry of Justice classified TV Rain as a foreign-agent media organization. The designation required special labeling and financial disclosures and formed part of a broader campaign against independent Russian media. Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian authorities blocked access to TV Rain and accused it of spreading false information about the military. The channel suspended operations on 3 March 2022, with its final Russian broadcast ending in a broadcast of Swan Lake. TV Rain then rebuilt itself abroad. Latvia issued a broadcasting license in June 2022, and the channel resumed live programming from Riga in July. It also planned studios and editorial activity in the Netherlands, France, and Georgia. The Latvian period ended in December 2022 when the regulator cancelled the license, citing multiple alleged violations and national-security concerns. The dispute centered partly on presenter Alexey Korostelev’s comments about receiving information from Russian soldiers and possibly helping them with equipment. Korostelev was dismissed, while other staff members left in protest. The regulator also imposed fines related to terminology and the depiction of Crimea. After leaving Latvia’s licensed broadcast system, TV Rain continued through online distribution and obtained a Dutch license in early 2023. Amsterdam became its main editorial center. In July 2023, Russia designated the channel an undesirable organization, effectively banning its activity in Russia and exposing participants and supporters to legal risks. A Latvian court overturned the license revocation in July 2025. TV Rain remains an exile-based Russian-language news brand distributed primarily through its website, online video, and international broadcasting arrangements.
- 2025
License revocation overturned
[1]A Latvian court overturns the earlier decision cancelling TV Rain’s license.
- 2023
Dutch license and Amsterdam relocation
[1]TV Rain obtains a Dutch broadcasting license and announces the transfer of its editorial center to Amsterdam.
- 2023
Declared undesirable in Russia
[1]Russia prohibits the channel’s activity as an undesirable organization.
- 2022
Broadcasting suspended in Russia
[1]TV Rain stops domestic operations after Russian access restrictions and wartime censorship measures.
- 2022
Riga relaunch
[1]The channel resumes live broadcasting from Latvia under a Latvian license.
- 2022
Latvian license cancelled
[1]Latvia’s media regulator revokes TV Rain’s broadcasting license.
- 2021
Foreign-agent designation
[1]The Russian Ministry of Justice adds TV Rain to the foreign-agent media register.
- 2014
Leningrad siege poll controversy
[1]A poll about the siege of Leningrad is withdrawn after criticism, followed by distributor boycotts and major financial pressure.
- 2011
Coverage of Russian protests
[1]TV Rain provides prominent coverage of protests following the disputed parliamentary elections.
- 2010
Channel founded
[1]Natalya Sindeyeva and Vera Krichevskaya establish TV Rain in Russia.
Products and positioning
Independent Russian-language news and current-affairs media with a liberal, discussion-oriented editorial identity and a strong digital and exiled-media presence.
Television news · 2010
TV Rain live channel
The core live news and current-affairs service, combining breaking coverage, interviews, political discussion, cultural programming, business reporting, and documentaries. Its format has historically emphasized live conversation and direct engagement with guests.
Digital media
TV Rain website and archive
The channel’s web platform provides live access, recorded programs, news content, and an archive. Online distribution became increasingly important after Russian cable operators dropped the channel and authorities later restricted access to it.
Digital subscription · 2013
TV Rain subscriptions
A paid-support model introduced to supplement advertising revenue and sustain independent programming. Subscription access has included live viewing and selected archived content, although pricing and availability have changed over time.
Discussion program
Dilettantes
A discussion format associated with TV Rain’s historical programming, including the 2014 broadcast in which presenters debated the controversial question concerning the siege of Leningrad.
Controversies
2022
On-air comments about Russian soldiers
Presenter Alexey Korostelev asked viewers for information about mobilization and said the channel might help service members with equipment and basic supplies. TV Rain dismissed him and later faced criticism and regulatory action in Latvia.
2014
Leningrad siege poll
TV Rain published a poll asking whether Leningrad should have surrendered during the Second World War siege to save lives. It removed the poll and apologized, but the episode prompted widespread political criticism and the loss of distribution agreements.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Telemarathon fundraising campaign
Russia
After cable distributors removed TV Rain following the Leningrad poll controversy, the channel organized a fundraising telemarathon to help finance continued operations.
Outcome. The campaign raised funds sufficient to support the channel for approximately two months, while TV Rain also increased subscription prices and expanded online support.
Brand decisions
2023
Move editorial center to AmsterdamStrategyBackground
After Latvia revoked TV Rain’s broadcast license, the channel needed a new regulatory and operational base.
Action taken
TV Rain obtained a Dutch broadcasting license and announced that its editorial center would move to Amsterdam.
Aftermath
The move consolidated the channel’s status as an exiled Russian-language media organization.
2022
Rebuild operations outside RussiaStrategyBackground
Russian authorities restricted access to TV Rain after the invasion of Ukraine and the channel suspended domestic broadcasting.
Action taken
The organization established production activity across Europe and Georgia, obtained a Latvian license, and relaunched from Riga.
Aftermath
The Latvian license was cancelled in December 2022, prompting a further move toward Dutch licensing and an Amsterdam editorial base.
2022
Dismissal of Alexey KorostelevOtherBackground
A presenter’s remarks about potentially helping Russian soldiers created political and regulatory controversy while the channel was operating in Latvia.
Action taken
Editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko apologized and announced that Korostelev had been fired.
Aftermath
Several colleagues left the channel, the Latvian regulator imposed a fine, and the dispute contributed to the later license cancellation.
2014
Shift toward subscriptions and direct supportStrategyBackground
The loss of Russian cable distribution after the Leningrad poll controversy caused a severe reduction in audience and advertising revenue.
Action taken
TV Rain raised subscription prices, organized a fundraising telemarathon, and expanded reliance on online distribution and supporter revenue.
Aftermath
The measures helped the channel continue operating despite a substantially weaker traditional television business.
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