Rustavi 2
Encyclopedia
Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company , better known as Rustavi 2, is the most successful private television broadcasting company in Georgia
. The Rustavi, based in Tbilisi
, was founded in 1994 in the town of Rustavi
. It is a privately owned free to air terrestrial broadcaster that currently reaches around 85% of the country's population. The area Rustavi 2 covers outside Georgia via satellite 24-hour broadcasting includes Europe
, European part of Russia
and the Middle East
. Rustavi 2 was first to use digital hardware in Georgia, the first to go on satellite, the first to conduct live foreign transmissions and first to become an Associate member of the European Broadcasting Union
. The news service of Rustavi 2 has bureaus and regional reporters in major Georgian cities (Kutaisi
, Batumi
, Gori
, Poti
, Zugdidi
), as well as the permanent correspondents in Moscow
and Washington D.C.. By some critiques, the independence of the station had been questioned, with some claiming it is close to the Georgian government
.
" has aired since the first days of Rustavi 2 (Government Channel) Broadcasting Company’s foundation and has become the most operative and successful news program in Georgia
.
The daytime news is anchored by Ana Kinkladze, Keti Kvachantiradze and Natia Goksadze.
Diana Jojua and Zaal Udumashvili anchor evening news releases at 18:00 and 21:00, including sports news with Dimitri Oboladze.
David Kikalishvili presents "P.S.
" every Sunday at 21:00.
often reports on various international events related to Georgia
.
.
.
, David Dvali, Jarji
Akimidze and Nika Tabatadze. In July 2004, 90 % of the company's shares was bought by the Batumi
-based businessman Kibar Khalvashi (who had close ties with the then-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili
) who sold them, in January 2006, to David Bezhuashvili, member of the Parliament of Georgia
and brother of Georgia's Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili
. In mid-2006 Rustavi 2, the television company Mze TV and radio station Pirveli Stereo merged into a holding which is currently owned by the Georgian Industrial Group (GIG) and GeoMedia Group. GIG, which owns a 45% share of both stations, is a large company with diversified business interests ranging from coal mining and energy to travel. Davit Bezhuashvili, is a founding member of the group. The GeoMedia group is a relatively obscure company registered in the Marshall Islands
.
’s government since then. The Georgian authorities made several attempts to shut R2 down. Giorgi Sanaia
, Georgia’s most popular TV journalist, who worked for R2, was murdered in July 2001. It has been considered by many as a political murder related with his programme "Night Courier" and investigations of allegations of official corruption. In October 2001, the security police raid on R2 office resulted in public anger and subsequent mass street demonstrations against the government’s pressure on independent media forced Eduard Shevardnadze
to fire his entire cabinet. Rustavi 2 was the main mass media source used as a tribune by the opposition leaders during the Rose Revolution
in November 2003.
report on Russia
but ignoring completely the report's criticism of Georgia.
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. The Rustavi, based in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, was founded in 1994 in the town of Rustavi
Rustavi
Rustavi is a city in the southeast of Georgia, in the province of Kvemo Kartli, situated southeast of the capital Tbilisi. It stands on the Mtkvari River at...
. It is a privately owned free to air terrestrial broadcaster that currently reaches around 85% of the country's population. The area Rustavi 2 covers outside Georgia via satellite 24-hour broadcasting includes Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, European part of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. Rustavi 2 was first to use digital hardware in Georgia, the first to go on satellite, the first to conduct live foreign transmissions and first to become an Associate member of the European Broadcasting Union
European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union is a confederation of 74 broadcasting organisations from 56 countries, and 49 associate broadcasters from a further 25...
. The news service of Rustavi 2 has bureaus and regional reporters in major Georgian cities (Kutaisi
Kutaisi
Kutaisi is Georgia's second largest city and the capital of the western region of Imereti. It is 221 km to the west of Tbilisi.-Geography:...
, Batumi
Batumi
Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. Sometimes considered Georgia's second capital, with a population of 121,806 , Batumi serves as an important port and a commercial center. It is situated in a subtropical zone, rich in...
, Gori
Gori, Georgia
Gori is a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli and the centre of the homonymous administrative district. The name is from Georgian gora , that is, "heap", or "hill"...
, Poti
Poti
Poti is a port city in Georgia, located on the eastern Black Sea coast in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti in the west of the country. Built near the site of the ancient Greek colony of Phasis, the city has become a major port city and industrial center since the early 20th century. It is also...
, Zugdidi
Zugdidi
Zugdidi is a city in the Western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo . It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kilometres west of Tbilisi, 30 km. from Black sea coast and 30 km. from Egrisi range. 100-110 metres above sea level. As of 2007, it had a...
), as well as the permanent correspondents in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
and Washington D.C.. By some critiques, the independence of the station had been questioned, with some claiming it is close to the Georgian government
Cabinet of Georgia
The Cabinet of Georgia is an executive council of government ministers in Georgia. It is headed by the Prime Minister of Georgia. In the cases of utmost importance, the meetings may be led by the President of Georgia . The first Cabinet of Georgia was formed by Noe Zhordania in the Democratic...
.
Courier News
News program "CourierCourier
A courier is a person or a company who delivers messages, packages, and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of express services, and swift delivery times, which are optional for...
" has aired since the first days of Rustavi 2 (Government Channel) Broadcasting Company’s foundation and has become the most operative and successful news program in Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
The daytime news is anchored by Ana Kinkladze, Keti Kvachantiradze and Natia Goksadze.
Diana Jojua and Zaal Udumashvili anchor evening news releases at 18:00 and 21:00, including sports news with Dimitri Oboladze.
David Kikalishvili presents "P.S.
P.S.
p.s. is a 2004 drama film directed by Dylan Kidd. The screenplay by Kidd and Helen Schulman is based on Schulman's 2001 novel P.S. I Love You So Damn Much. The film stars Laura Linney and Topher Grace.-Plot synopsis:...
" every Sunday at 21:00.
Business Courier
From 2006 new television season Rustavi 2 airs "Business Courier". The program offers in-depth reporting and critical analysis of major business issues today with an emphasis on current events, business development, market outlooks, and emerging opportunities.P.S.
P.S. is a weekly analytical and educational summarizing program, which focuses on politics, economics and social problems; the project also covers topical cultural issues. P.S.P.S.
p.s. is a 2004 drama film directed by Dylan Kidd. The screenplay by Kidd and Helen Schulman is based on Schulman's 2001 novel P.S. I Love You So Damn Much. The film stars Laura Linney and Topher Grace.-Plot synopsis:...
often reports on various international events related to Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
Vano's Show
Vano's Show is a Georgian version of American TV program format which exists from the 50's of the 20th century and is extremely successful in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Foreign series
Rustavi 2′s programming mix includes a wide variety of popular foreign series like Desperate HousewivesDesperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
.
Telenovelas Recently Broadcasting
| Country | Telenovela | Translation | Series Premiere | Series Final | Weekly Shedule | Timeslot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mexico |
Rosalinda | როსალინდა | October 3, 2011 | Monday-Friday | 10:00 | |
 United States Colombia |
El Clon El Clon El Clon is a Spanish-language telenovela produced by the U.S.-based television network Telemundo and Rede Globo. It is a remake of O Clone, a Brazilian telenovela that originally aired on Globo in 2001 and on Telemundo in 2002... |
კლონი | September 26, 2011 | Monday-Friday | 11:00 | |
| United States |
Aurora Aurora (Telenovela) Aurora is a Spanish-language telenovela produced by the United States-based television network Telemundo.Telemundo aired this serial from November 1, 2010 to May 20, 2011... |
ავრორა | May 25, 2011 | Monday-Wednesday | 17:00 | |
 Venezuela |
La Viuda Joven La viuda joven La viuda joven , is a Venezuelan telenovela produced by Venevisión. Created by Martin Hahn it stars Mariángel Ruiz, Luis Gerónimo Abreu and Verónica Schneider.- Story :... |
ახალგაზრდა ქვრივი | June 22, 2011 | Saturday-Sunday | 17:00 | |
| United States |
Mi Corazón Insiste… en Lola Volcán Mi Corazón Insiste… en Lola Volcán Mi Corazón Insiste… en Lola Volcán is a Spanish telenovela produced by the United States-based television network Telemundo. Telemundo aired this serial from May 23 to November 28, 2011 at 8pm central... |
მიყვარხარ ლოლა | November 7, 2011 | Monday-Saturday | 18:45 | |
| United States |
La Casa de al Lado La Casa de al Lado La Casa de al Lado is a Spanish-language telenovela produced by the United States-based television network Telemundo... |
სახლი მეზობლად | September 12, 2011 | Monday-Saturday | 19:45 | |
| United States |
La Reina del Sur La Reina del Sur (Telenovela) La Reina del Sur is a Spanish-language telenovela produced by the United States-based television network Telemundo in conjunction with the Antena 3 network and RTI Producciones... |
სამხრეთის დედოფალი | June 25, 2011 | Saturdays | 23:00 |
Ownership
Rustavi 2 was originally owned by Erosi KitsmarishviliErosi Kitsmarishvili
Erosi Kitsmarishvili is a Georgian media executive and the ex-Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Russian Federation in 2008....
, David Dvali, Jarji
Akimidze and Nika Tabatadze. In July 2004, 90 % of the company's shares was bought by the Batumi
Batumi
Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. Sometimes considered Georgia's second capital, with a population of 121,806 , Batumi serves as an important port and a commercial center. It is situated in a subtropical zone, rich in...
-based businessman Kibar Khalvashi (who had close ties with the then-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili
Irakli Okruashvili
Irakli Okruashvili is a Georgian politician who had served on various important posts in the Government of Georgia under President Mikheil Saakashvili, including being the Minister of Defense from December 2004 until being dismissed in November 2006.In September 2007, Okruashvili staged a...
) who sold them, in January 2006, to David Bezhuashvili, member of the Parliament of Georgia
Parliament of Georgia
Parliament of Georgia is the supreme legislature of Georgia. It is unicameral and has 150 members, known as deputies, from which 75 members are proportional representatives and 75 are elected through single-member district plurality system, representing their constituencies...
and brother of Georgia's Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili
Gela Bezhuashvili
Gela Bezhuashvili is a Georgian politician and the current head of the Georgian Intelligence Service since February 1, 2008...
. In mid-2006 Rustavi 2, the television company Mze TV and radio station Pirveli Stereo merged into a holding which is currently owned by the Georgian Industrial Group (GIG) and GeoMedia Group. GIG, which owns a 45% share of both stations, is a large company with diversified business interests ranging from coal mining and energy to travel. Davit Bezhuashvili, is a founding member of the group. The GeoMedia group is a relatively obscure company registered in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
.
History
It was formed in 1994 and had been in a strong opposition to Eduard ShevardnadzeEduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze is a former Soviet, and later, Georgian statesman from the height to the end of the Cold War. He served as President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003, and as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party , from 1972 to 1985. Shevardnadze was responsible for many top decisions on...
’s government since then. The Georgian authorities made several attempts to shut R2 down. Giorgi Sanaia
Giorgi Sanaia
Giorgi Sanaia, sometimes spelled as Giorgi Sanaya was a Georgian television journalist of the independent broadcasting company Rustavi 2 who was murdered under controversial circumstances in 2001....
, Georgia’s most popular TV journalist, who worked for R2, was murdered in July 2001. It has been considered by many as a political murder related with his programme "Night Courier" and investigations of allegations of official corruption. In October 2001, the security police raid on R2 office resulted in public anger and subsequent mass street demonstrations against the government’s pressure on independent media forced Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze is a former Soviet, and later, Georgian statesman from the height to the end of the Cold War. He served as President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003, and as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party , from 1972 to 1985. Shevardnadze was responsible for many top decisions on...
to fire his entire cabinet. Rustavi 2 was the main mass media source used as a tribune by the opposition leaders during the Rose Revolution
Rose Revolution
The "Revolution of Roses" was a change of power in Georgia in November 2003, which took place after having widespread protests over the disputed parliamentary elections...
in November 2003.
Allegations of propaganda
The opposition in Georgia has accused Rustavi 2 of being little better than a proganda station for the government - for instance broadcasting details of the 2009 Freedom HouseFreedom House
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
report on Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
but ignoring completely the report's criticism of Georgia.