President Medinsky’s assistant urged to reduce the number of entertainment programs on TV
An adviser to the President of Russia and the head of the Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, has proposed scaling back entertainment programming on national television and replacing much of it with classic Soviet cinema. His remarks were reported by TASS, highlighting a push to shift broadcast content toward historically resonant films rather than light entertainment.
Medinsky stated that there are members of the television committee and representatives from various channels listening to the floor, and he urged colleagues to consider publishing fewer entertainment shows. He suggested that the current mix on air appeared somewhat ridiculous in the present moment and warranted reevaluation to align with broader national priorities.
Instead of prioritizing entertainment, the presidential adviser called for more broadcasting of Soviet films. He added that even works of foreign cinema that lack copyright protection might not be necessary from a broadcasting standpoint now, arguing that audiences would appreciate a return to more historically significant programming.
Medinsky framed the current period as a time of extraordinary challenge for Russia, insisting that the country must respond in a manner consistent with that reality. He emphasized that the nation is living through a critical moment in its history and warned that failing to mobilize and rebuild could mean this chapter is not guaranteed to be written in Russian. The sentiment underscored a belief that changes in cultural programming could reflect and reinforce a new national trajectory.
Earlier reports noted that Channel One had already adjusted its schedule to emphasize social and political programming, with similar changes reportedly implemented by the Russia channel. The shift signals a broader rethink of how television serves public discourse and national priorities, especially in times perceived as pivotal by leadership.