Statement of 1+1 media regarding the situation surrounding the issue of Ukrainian-language content
Over the past two days, a discussion has been gaining momentum in social media and mass media around the out-of-context comment of the main producer of TV series and films of the "1+1" channel, Olena Eremeyeva, regarding the issue of Ukrainian-language content. In addition to Elena's extended explanation , in which our colleague explained the meaning of what was said, adding context taking into account the production specifics of the "1+1" channel, we want to express the official position of the 1+1 media group in order to prevent the formation of a distorted understanding of the current situation.
As a Ukrainian media holding with a clear pro-Ukrainian position and an active initiator of national discourse in the industry, 1+1 media has always supported the creation and promotion of Ukrainian products in the Ukrainian language. Last year, more than fifty hours of Ukrainian-language content were produced, and currently more than 120 hours of Ukrainian-language serial products of various genres are under development.
In 2014, we were the first to start producing our own series in Ukrainian, placing them in the prime time of the programming network of channels. For more than 5 years, strictly complying with all the requirements of the law, we took an active part in discussing the importance of observing the language issue through other channels and formed a trend in the market even before the adoption of language quotas, and later - and speaking in their defense.
In recent years, only "1+1" has created a number of precedents among channels, being among the first to film a Ukrainian-language artistic television product - "Yakov's Century", "Kateryna", "School", "Two Mothers".
The situation is similar with channels 2+2 and TET, whose program grid was filled with Ukrainian products, including in prime time. Let's remember "Once upon a time near Poltava" (9 seasons), "Tanka and Volodka" (3 seasons), "The Second Life of Vasylina Pavlovna" (1 season), "The Party" (3 seasons), "Chameleon" (1 season), " "Zirkonauts" and other products of the "TET" channel, or from the latest examples - the fully Ukrainian-language series "Carpathian Ranger" of the "2+2" channel.
As mentioned, the language issue for us is not only a requirement to comply with legislative norms. In particular, the PLUSPLUS channel, whose audience is families with children, started airing the cartoon "Let's Talk Ukrainian" in the fall of 2019. We produced it with the aim of instilling love for the native language and teaching Ukrainians to speak correctly from an early age.
We also provide access to quality Ukrainian-language products for Ukrainians abroad thanks to the international channel 1+1 International, which offers series, programs and films in Ukrainian for viewing.
Only in 2020, 1+1 media plans to double the number of Ukrainian-language products on the group's channels, gradually increasing the dynamics of growth. That is why we want to appeal to the public and the media with a request not to artificially force the topic of the Ukrainian language in relation to the channels of our media group, because its use in content creation and support is a priority and ideological issue for us. Without any buts or exceptions.
