Discovery takes 15 TV channels off air in Russia

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 10 March 2022

Discovery becomes the latest broadcaster to suspend operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Discovery has suspended the broadcast of 15 linear TV channels in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

The media giant becomes the latest global company to sever ties with the country and joins a growing number of broadcasters to boycott the Russian audience.

Netflix and Amazon's Prime Video service have already suspended their Russian services, while the Premier League has ripped up its TV rights contract to prevent games from airing in the country.

In a statement, Discovery confirmed: "Discovery has decided to suspend the broadcast of its channels and services in Russia."

Among the channels no longer available to Russian viewers are Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Eurosport, Discovery Science and TLC, while around 65 staff are affected by the decision.

Discovery's operations in Russia are via a joint venture with a company called National Media Group, which owns the country's largest broadcaster Channel One.

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