NTV Delays Sunday Episode of Mask Amid Election Coverage
NTV has postponed the Sunday airing of the program Mask in response to the release of the presidential election results summary. The postponement was announced on the channel’s website as the vote tally and political developments take center stage in the network’s programming schedule.
The show, described as an entertaining vocal competition, was originally slated for a 22:00 time slot on Sunday, but the latest update confirms it will be broadcast next week as planned. This adjustment aligns with broader coverage needs as the election story dominates national headlines across Russia and the regional media landscape. The shift underscores how live events influence entertainment calendars in the current media environment [citation: NTV press materials].
Back in mid-February, the channel confirmed the continuity of Mask with the same panel of judges. Kirkorov remained a jury member, joined by Valeria, Regina Todorenko, and Timur Rodriguez. The program first premiered on NTV on February 18, drawing viewers with a mix of performance, humor, and celebrity presence. In recent episodes, the lineup has featured stylistic changes and evolving stage aesthetics, with performers and judges showcasing new looks that complement the evolving mood of the season [citation: NTV programming notes].
Looking ahead, the Russian presidential elections are scheduled for a three-day window from March 15 to March 17, 2024. For the first time since 2008, the race is expected to feature four candidates who will contest the presidency. The candidates include Vladislav Davankov from the New People party, Vladimir Putin who is backing a nominated candidate, Leonid Slutsky representing the LDPR, and Nikolai Kharitonov from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. The electoral landscape continues to draw substantial public interest as the campaign unfolds across the federation [citation: Russian election commission updates].
Earlier in the season, there was media chatter about broader political questions linked to the show’s audience and public figures associated with it. One notable topic involved Lolita’s comments and the public discourse surrounding potential moves or statements connected to Donbass, reflecting how entertainment media sometimes intersects with regional political conversations. These discussions illustrate how cultural programming can intersect with geopolitical discourse in modern media ecosystems [citation: entertainment news roundups].