Funding Allocated to TV Channels for the 'United News #UArazom' Marathon
On April 22, Ukraine’s state-owned enterprise, the Multimedia Platform for Foreign Broadcasting, disbursed 638 million hryvnias to four private television channels producing content for the 'United News #UArazom' marathon. The largest portions went to My-Ukraine, Studio 1+1, and SLM News, while Inter TV received the smallest amount.
- My-Ukraine LLC received 179.58 million hryvnias to produce 918 hours of content, at a cost of 163.02 thousand hryvnias per hour (excluding VAT).
- Studio 1+1 TV and Radio Company LLC got 179.16 million hryvnias for 1,143 hours of content, priced at 130.62 thousand hryvnias per hour (excluding VAT).
- SLM News TV and Radio Company LLC also received 179.13 million hryvnias, tasked with creating 1,299 hours of content at 114.91 thousand hryvnias per hour (excluding VAT).
- Inter TV PJSC obtained 100.08 million hryvnias to produce 868 hours of content, with an hourly rate of 96.08 thousand hryvnias (excluding VAT).
All private channels are producing programs based on 2025 pricing. However, My-Ukraine is facing financial difficulties; in September-October 2025, its employees experienced salary delays. Several staff members resigned, and as of mid-February 2026, journalists are receiving wages 20% lower than the previous year. Additionally, My-Ukraine operates using seized equipment from four channels owned by the late lawmaker Oleksiy Kovalyov, and likely uses some equipment from the Nash channel of former lawmaker Yevhen Murayev.
Shifts in Information Policy and Declining Trust in the Telethon
Since President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced a unified information policy on March 19, 2022, the telethon has undergone changes. Air slots in the marathon were given to channels 1+1, TRK Ukraine (Ukraine 24), ICTV/STB, Rada, Inter, and Suspilne. However, Suspilne was removed from the telethon in May 2024, and TRK Ukraine was replaced by My-Ukraine. As of January 1, 2026, the parliamentary channel Rada also ceased operating in the telethon format.
Trust in the telethon has declined: in 2023, 48% of Ukrainians trusted it; in 2024, that figure dropped to 36%; and in 2025, it stood at 37%. As one former My-Ukraine employee noted:
“My-Ukraine paid me my salary for November 2025 only in February of this year.”
Thus, despite significant funding, the TV channels face numerous challenges that affect their ability to deliver quality content and maintain audience trust.
The allocation of funds to channels under the 'United News #UArazom' marathon shows that state support remains a key tool for ensuring information stability in the country. Yet, the financial struggles of My-Ukraine and the waning trust in the telethon highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to managing media resources and supporting journalists. Amid war and the information challenges confronting Ukrainian society, content quality and journalists' working conditions should be prioritized.
As the financial landscape becomes increasingly strained, the Ukrainian government is preparing to implement budget cuts, responding to demands from the Finance Ministry for reduced expenditures. This situation could have significant implications for media funding and operations, particularly in light of the recent allocation of funds for the telethon. To understand the potential impact on various sectors, including the media, read more about the government's budgeting challenges and the necessary adjustments here.