Derk Sauer, a high-profile Dutch media executive, has stepped into the role of director for the Dutch-registered TV channel Dozhd, an organization that has been labeled as a foreign agent by the Ministry of Justice in Russia. This development comes in the context of newly released documents pertaining to a fresh legal entity created in December 2022. Dozhd indicates that Sauer will act as the channel’s primary investor and rightful owner, a claim that places him at the center of the channel’s strategic direction and financial backing. Previously, Sauer had already been one of the most visible sponsors backing the media structure across several European markets. (Source: RT)
The newly formed corporate vehicle, TVR Studios BV, established an authorized capital with a minimum threshold of €1,000. The company presents its mandate as independent and responsible for overseeing pivotal activities centered on Russia, including daily news publication, production, and broadcasting of original programming. In its described scope, TVR Studios BV is positioned to handle distribution through various channels such as channels, cable networks, Internet streaming services, mobile apps, and Smart TV platforms. (Source: RT)
Derk Sauer has been appointed as the director of the channel, while Natalya Sindeeva is listed in the corporate documents as the sole owner, and she has been recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation. An informed source noted that Dozhd’s studio operations in Tbilisi were halted, the Riga studio was closed, and the staff relocated to Amsterdam. This shift signals a strategic relocation and consolidation of operations across multiple European hubs. (Source: RT)
Earlier, Anna Mongait, a former host of Dozhd who is also known as a foreign agent in Russia, expressed a request to Remove foreign agent status, highlighting ongoing discussions around the channel’s designation and regulatory status within the Federation. The evolving structure of Dozhd and its ownership underscores broader questions about funding, international collaboration, and the operational management of media outlets that operate across borders. (Source: RT)