1938–1945
The first employees of the Kyrgyz radio were composer Kalyk Akiyev and musician Pyotr Shubin. The first radio announcers were state figure Sakin Begmatova, artist Aliman Zhangorozova, and writer Kasymaly Bektenov. From 1938 to 1941 poet Tolon Shamshiev was appointed as a chairman of the radio committee. The importance of radio increased during the Great Patriotic War, and soon became the most dominant source of information. In 1945, on March 28, the Committee on Radio Broadcasting was reorganized under the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz ASSR.
1945–1964
From 1949 to 1953, the Committee on Broadcasting was headed by playwright and public figure Moldogazy Tokobayev. Because of the control of all radio communication had been transferred to the Ministry of Communications of the Kyrgyz ASSR, the Committee on Radio Broadcasting passed under the leadership of the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz ASSR.
In 1958, under the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz ASSR, the Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting were established, and the Frunzean TV studio started. The first speaker of the Kyrgyz television was Sinakan Zhunushalieva, the first director was Januzak Moldobaev, the first editor was Sharsheke Smatov, the first sound engineer was Svetlana Varibada, and the first operator was Kurmanbek Ogobaev. It was already broadcasting five days a week in 1960. In the Frunze area alone, viewers were also able to receive the Alma-Ata station. Kyrgyz Television produced programming directed mainly at the agricultural and textile sectors.[2]
1964–1985
From 1961 to 1964 the Broadcasting Committee was headed by Aiymbubu Botokanova. Since 1964, the Television and Radio Committee under the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz SSR was headed by Asanbek Tokombaev, who had been the head of the state ideological institution for 21 years. Under Asanbek Tokombaev the Television and Radio Committee expanded and became a full-fledged information channel. The administrative building of the Television and Radio Corporation, the Radio House and the television studio building were built during Asanbek Tokombaev's lead. The first color tests began in Kyrgyzstan in 1974, but full-color broadcasting didn't arrive until 1981.
1985–2007
Since 1985 to 1986 the committee was headed by Asanbek Stamov. Since 1986 to 1991 by Umtul Orozova. In 1991 the State Agency on Television and Radio of the Kyrgyz Republic was organized, at the head of which Satybaldy Jeenbekov was appointed. In 1992 Tugolbai Kazakov was appointed as the head, in 1993 Kadyrkul Omurkulov was appointed. In the same year, the agency was again reorganized into a Committee. In 1994 Abdulamit Matisakov was appointed as head. In 1995 Kyrgyz television opened the studio of the morning program “Zamana”.
In 1996, the State Television and Radio Committee was reorganized into the State Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic, head of which was appointed Amanbek Karypkulov. Then there were opened information center "Ala-Too", the producer center "Nur", and "Ata-Jurt" in the State Broadcasting Corporation. In 2001, Moldoseyit Mambetakunov was appointed as a president of the corporation, and in 2002 Toktosh Aitikeeva. In 2003 the State Television and Radio Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic acquired the status of the National Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2004, Syartbai Musayev was appointed as a president of the corporation, in 2005 Sultan Abdrakmanov, and in the same year Kyas Moldokasymov was appointed as a president.
2007–2010
In 2007 Melis Eshimkanov was appointed as a general director of the corporation, which changed in 2009 to Kaiyrgul Orozbai Kyzy, then it changed again in 2010, after the April Revolution, to Kubat Otorbaev. During this same time, the corporation acquired the status of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic, being signed by the president of the Kyrgyz Republic at the time. In 2010 there was an election for the supervisory board of the Public Broadcasting Corporation, which includes 15 members, which Elvira Sarieva was elected as a chairman of the supervisory board. In December 2010 according to the results of a contest, Kubat Otorbaev had been elected as a General Director of KTRK for another 5 years.
2011–2017
In July 2014, Kubat Otorbaev applied for resignation at his own request, which was adopted by a majority vote of the KTRK Supervisory Board. The supervisory board assigned the duties of the corporation's General Director to the well-known journalist Sultanbek Zhumagulov, who at that time was the head of the television channel “ElTR”.
On November 23, 2014, Sultanbek Zhumagulov was elected for the post of General Director. Zhumagulov as the General Director of KTRK, the news block of the channel was updated, and a new Osh TV studio was opened. After his resignation, the supervisory board of the Public Broadcasting Corporation assigned the duties of the General Director on Ilimbek Karypbekov. On March 19, 2015, Ilimbek Karypbekov was appointed as a General Director of KTRK with an absolute majority of votes of the members of the supervisory board. As a chairman of the supervisory board was elected poet and TV journalist Abdy Satarov.
Currently, the corporation has 6 TV channels: “Public First Channel”, “KTRK Music”, “Madaniyat-Taryh-Til”, “Balastan”, "KTRK Sport" and "Ala-Too 24". There are 5 radio stations in the KTRK: “Birinci Radio”, “Kyrgyz Radiosu”, “Min Kyal FM”, “Dostuk” and “Baldar FM”. The corporation includes the Republican Radio Telecentre, and the studio "Kyrgyztelefilm".
2022–Present
The Public Broadcasting Corporation (OTRK) became the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation (NTRK) in May 2022.[3]
