Founded in 1990, the All-Russia State Television And Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), is the largest media holding in Russia. VGTRK first deputy chairman and Channel Russia 1 CEO Anton Zlatopolsky spoke to Rafael Saakov.

Building a global reputation Founded in 1990, the All-Russia State Television And Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), is the largest media holding in Russia. VGTRK first deputy chairman and Channel Russia 1 CEO Anton Zlatopolsky spoke to Rafael Saakov. VGTRK operates a news and entertainment channel Russia 1, sport and entertainment channel Russia 2 , 24-hour news channel Russia 24, culture channel Russia K, worldwide Russian-language RTR-Planet, and the Russian version of Euronews. First deputy chairman Anton Zlatopolsky says that like Russian television in general, VGTRK has been “absorbing and adapting what has been successful on the global television market”. He adds: “Accessibility and the highest levels of foreign content stimulate us to continuously improve the quality of our products, and to seek and adapt the most interesting ideas and formats for Russia.”

For example, Zlatopolsky says that Russia 1 was the first channel to attempt a format of the complexity of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. “The success of this show inspired us to take an even greater risk with the format Dancing On Ice, which became one of the most popular programs of the 2006-2007 season. “Our programme catalogue is gaining more and more attention on the international market, “Zlatopolsky says. “Among our partners are Discovery, Canal+, BBC, CCTV, TVP, YLE, Phoenix Sattellite and many other respected companies.” He adds that overseas partnerships help the company to serve an audience that has almost limitless choice of channels. “We take huge responsibility as a TV channel that integrates and expresses the interests of different people in a large country. And yet we face very tough day-to-day competition. Our audience trusts us and we respect them, and in such circumstances that can only be achieved by offering the highest-quality content. And this can happen only if you are open to talent and new ideas, regardless of their nationality. In this sense we are cosmopolitans.”

High on Zlatopolsky’s agenda at MIPCOM is Rasputin, a Russian-French co-production handled by EuropaCorp/Roissy (France) and Sovteleexport (Russia). Rasputin stars French actors Gerard Depardieu and Fanny Ardant, and Vladimir Mashkov – all playing alongside a largely Russian cast. “The French side insisted on shooting at the historic locations in St. Petersburg where events took place,” Zlatopolsky says. “It’s impossible to recreate the atmosphere of such places as Tsarskoe Selo, the Winter Palace, the Yusupov Palace, or the Peter and Poul Fortress anywhere else. The film creates a feeling of complete historical accuracy which is fascinating. Our director, Josee Doyan, not only survived in a snowy St Petersburg but has also created a unique film where the Russian and French cultures unite in harmony”.

Zlatopolsky says MIPCOM plays an important role in “establishing the prestige of, and building interest in, the content of any country”. He adds: “As a distributor of content, VGTRK has been attending MIPCOM and MIPTV for over 10 years. During this time, film and television production in Russia has evolved enormously, and is achieving its goal of competing at the highest level. MIPCOM will be very important indicator of interest in our programmes, and the Russian industry as a whole.”

MIPCOM 2011 Special Russia News 1

October 2, 2011

http://issuu.com/mipmarkets/docs/mipcom-special-russia-2011