MOSCOW, 27 January 2025. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey among Russians about the perceptions of television.

Hurrah to television!

Eight in ten Russians watch TV programs on TV or on the Internet to a varying degree (82%), which is a maximum over the last two years (2022 — 79%, 2023 — 75%). Apparently, television remains to be a key information channel: 57% watch TV programs on a daily basis (+6 p.p. over a year). The share of the TV audience has increased over a year at the expense of an increased number of active TV viewers, those who spend more than four hours a day in front of the TV screen (from 18 to 26%).

The older the respondents are, the more often they watch TV programs. Sixty-five percent of respondents aged 18-24 and 94% of those aged 60+ watch TV. Remarkably, those aged 60+ spend more time watching TV on a daily basis (84% vs 20% of those aged 18-24).

Half of respondents watch TV alone (49%); another 31% watch TV with their husbands/wives/partners; 15% watch TV with their family, less often with children (10%).

TV in special moments

In case of emergencies many Russians (43%) would turn to TV channels. This is followed by Internet websites and Telegram channels (29% and 28%, respectively). A further 15% point out video hosting platforms; the same share (14%) opts for social media and messengers; 9% choose radio. Survey data grouping shows that 28% of respondents would choose only traditional media; 47% would opt for purely online resources, and 22% would go for various media sources – both traditional and online ones.

Those who choose TV channels in emergencies primarily point out Channel One (54%), followed by Russia-1 (49%). Respondents also often mentioned Russia-24 (29%) and NTV (22%).

The three most popular TV channels Russians turn to to watch broadcasts of great events (Victory Parade, Presidential Address, etc.) are Channel One (50%), Russia-1 (46%) and Russia-24 (28%). Other channels mentioned by respondents are NTV (23%), REN-TV (13%), Zvezda (12%), Pyaty Channel (9%), TNT and STS (6%, each).

On family values

The role of television is not limited to helping people stay informed; it also helps to preserve traditions by acting as a platform for transmitting cultural values and historical memory. The channels Russians point out for this purpose are Channel One (36%), NTV and Russia-1 (25%, each). More than 10% mention Domashniy (15%), Spas (14%), Russia-Culture and Karusel, a channel for children and youth, (13%, each). The latter was often mentioned by those who recently watched this channel - young people aged under 24 (24%).

When asked about the channels that offer programs for different age groups, most of respondents point to STS (23%), followed by Channel One (18%) and Russia-1 (17%). NTV gained 15%; Zvezda and TNT, 14% (each).

All-Russian telephone survey was conducted 26-29 November, 2024. A total of 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interview, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.