On June 2, 2017 the National Media Group announced opening of Multimedia Information Center “Izvestia”.
The exhibit booth of MIC “Izvestia” was visited by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The President looked at the studio complex in the exhibit booth of MIC “Izvestia” having noted technological capabilities of the center and left memorable signature for the staff of the editorial office.
MIC “Izvestia” integrates editorial and technological capabilities of the news services of TV channels REN, Channel Five,and the Izvestia newspaper serving as a cross-functional platform for producing multi-format information content for TV, printed media and Internet. The team of the joined editorial office numbers over 1.5 thousand people.
MIC “Izvestia” comprises new web-portal IZ.ru combining capabilities of a 24-hour news TV channel and a socio-political newspaper. The editorial staff of the portal works in an innovative format and simultaneously transmits information in several formats: news, video, photo and analytics.
A portal visitor can learn recent news from the news ticker and appreciate modern visualization tools – 3D infographics displaying location-based maps, photo and video elements. A 360 camera ensures the effect of onsite presence. The portal provides advanced interactive capabilities – an auto attendant and audio support of text materials.
Besides, within the expansion of the editorial and content capabilities of MIC “Izvestia”, new Saint Petersburg city channel “78” will be launched in the beginning of the new TV season.
Integration of Saint Petersburg city channel “78” into the structure of MIC “Izvestia” is a natural part of the process for expanding TV coverage of MIC “Izvestia” in the Northwestern Federal District and creation in the perimeter of the NMG media assets of the largest TV production cluster with its center in Saint Petersburg.
TV channel “78” will be created on the basis of existing channel “LIFENEWS 78”. Aram Gabrelyanov, ex-director of the TV channel, ceased to be an owner of the channel having sold his 25 % in the authorized capital.
MIC “Izvestia” is also developing its content capabilities through partnerships with foreign mass media. In particular, within the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017, first partnership agreements were signed with CNN and Thomson Reuters enabling MIC “Izvestia” to access the world news, photo and video feed of the partners and to publish information content at IZ.ru.
Vladimir Tyulin was appointed the Director General of MIC “Izvestia”. Editor-in-Chief of the REN TV channel Mikhail Frolov was assigned to the position of the First Deputy Director General – Editorial Director of MIC “Izvestia”. Arseny Oganesyan is the Editor-in-Chief of the Izvestia newspaper. Editor-in-Chief of Channel Five Alexandr Anuchkin became the Head of MIC “Izvestia. North-West”.