Channel 31

Channel 31 is a nationwide television broadcaster in Kazakhstan, headquartered in Almaty. It operates as a general-interest television service rather than as a narrowly focused thematic channel, combining news and current-affairs content with locally produced programs, imported films and television series, talk shows, comedy, cultural and historical programming, sports-related coverage, and children's entertainment. Its programming has been presented in both Kazakh and Russian, reflecting the country's bilingual media environment and the broadcaster's aim of reaching audiences across Kazakhstan. The channel's origins date to 24 October 1992, when regular broadcasting began under the TRC 31 Channel name. Its first broadcast under the Channel 31 identity took place in Alma-Ata, the former name of Almaty, on 12 April 1993. During the 1990s, the organization expanded beyond a single-city service. A related radio operation, Radio 31, began broadcasting in Almaty in 1994, while the television company later developed a national network. By February 2001, Channel 31 had established a television network covering 14 cities in Kazakhstan. A transition to satellite-based digital distribution through Intelsat 904 in 2003 further increased the potential geographic reach of its signal. Channel 31 has used a mixture of domestic production and licensed international content to build its schedule. During the late 2000s, it increased Kazakh-language dubbing and introduced or expanded locally oriented programs, including entertainment, comedy, talk, quiz, and youth formats. The channel also broadcast Turkish serials, Russian-language entertainment, international films, and sports programming. Licensing arrangements with The Walt Disney Company CIS in 2009 and Paramount Pictures in 2011 illustrate its strategy of supplementing domestic programming with recognizable international film and television properties. The broadcaster has also served as a platform for locally relevant television formats. Programs and projects associated with the channel include InformBuro, Humor Studio, Rizam, TikTok show, 31 Jokes, Time Vine, What's Up, 1001 Jokes, and BALA BATTLE. Earlier programming initiatives included the Kazakh-language entertainment program Juldyzben júzdesu, the comedy and sketch format Kúlegeshter, the talk show Pikir alany, the intellectual game Bilgirler baigesi, and the sports-oriented Biik maksat. The schedule has periodically featured Turkish, Filipino, Russian, and other international series alongside Kazakh productions. Ownership has changed over time. The reference history records the completion of a transaction in 2008 under which CTC Media acquired a 20 percent stake in the television company. The channel was subsequently associated with the Verny Capital business group. Since 16 March 2023, 100 percent of Channel 31's shares have been owned by Verny Capital Management Company, within the wider Verny Capital Group of Companies. Bulat Utemuratov is identified in the reference material as the owner and shareholder of the Verny Capital group. Channel 31's present identity is therefore that of a privately owned Kazakh national broadcaster with a broad, mass-market schedule. Its principal competitive assets are nationwide distribution, bilingual programming, a mix of locally produced formats and acquired content, and the ability to combine news, entertainment, drama, comedy, and family programming within one general-interest channel. Precise current audience figures, revenue information, and detailed corporate management data are not established by the supplied references.

Channel 31 emerged during the early post-Soviet development of Kazakhstan's private and commercial television sector. Regular broadcasting began on 24 October 1992 under the TRC 31 Channel name. On 12 April 1993, the organization made its first broadcast under the Channel 31 identity in Alma-Ata, now known as Almaty. The station was conceived as a general-interest broadcaster, carrying a mixture of news, entertainment, films, series, talk shows, cultural material, historical programming, and children's content in Kazakh and Russian. The organization expanded its media activities in 1994 with the launch of Radio 31 in Almaty on FM 103.5 MHz. Its television operation later moved beyond the Almaty market. In February 2001, TRC 31 Channel formed a national television network covering 14 cities in Kazakhstan. This was a significant shift from a local broadcaster toward a countrywide service. In June 2003, the channel began digital satellite transmission via Intelsat 904, broadening the technical reach of its signal and supporting nationwide distribution. During the second half of the 2000s, Channel 31 pursued a programming and commercial refresh. In February 2008, a transaction involving CTC Media and a 20 percent stake in the television company was completed. The channel began broadcasting in an updated format in March of the same year. Its schedule combined acquired entertainment with an increasing emphasis on Kazakh-language production and dubbing. In January 2009, it introduced the Kazakh-language entertainment program Juldyzben júzdesu. Later that year, the broadcaster resumed coverage of selected UEFA Champions League matches, expanded the Kazakh comic program Kúlegeshter, and launched or promoted talk, quiz, sports, comedy, and youth formats. Channel 31 also intensified its use of acquired international content. Turkish series became an important part of the schedule, with titles such as Glow Cocoon, Valley of the Wolves, Valley of the Wolves: Ambush, and Love Symphony appearing in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the broadcaster entered an exclusive licensing arrangement with The Walt Disney Company CIS for film content. In 2011, it signed a comparable agreement with Paramount Pictures. These arrangements complemented domestic programming and strengthened the channel's general-entertainment proposition. The broadcaster's local production portfolio included comedy, talk, quiz, sports, and youth programming. Examples cited in the channel's history include Pikir alany, Bilgirler baigesi, Biik maksat, Áńgime bolsyn, Ázil studio, and the youth sketch show Give the Youth. It also aired series and dramas from several foreign markets, including a Filipino drama that premiered in 2015. The combination of local formats, bilingual presentation, imported serials, and international films allowed Channel 31 to address a broad national audience. In November 2011, Bagdad Kodzhahmetov was appointed CEO. The ownership structure later became associated with Verny Capital Group of Companies, whose owner and shareholder is identified in the supplied reference material as Bulat Utemuratov. On 16 March 2023, Verny Capital Management Company became the owner of 100 percent of Channel 31's shares. The station is currently described as part of Mediaholding Channel 31 and remains a Kazakhstan-focused national broadcaster based in Almaty. The available references do not provide reliable current audience figures, revenue, profitability, detailed workforce information, or a complete list of present-day executives. They do, however, establish Channel 31's principal historical trajectory: launch as an Almaty broadcaster in the early 1990s, expansion into a national network, adoption of satellite and digital distribution, increased Kazakh-language production, reliance on international licensing, and consolidation under Verny Capital ownership.

1. 2023Full ownership transferred to Verny Capital Management Company

   Verny Capital Management Company becomes the 100 percent owner of Channel 31 on 16 March.

   Source
2. 2011Paramount licensing agreement

   Channel 31 enters an exclusive agreement with Paramount Pictures for television film rights.

   Source
3. 2009Kazakh-language production expands

   The broadcaster increases dubbing and develops additional Kazakh-language entertainment, comedy, talk, quiz, and youth formats.

   Source
4. 2008Minority investment and format refresh

   CTC Media acquires a 20 percent stake, and Channel 31 begins broadcasting in an updated format.

   Source
5. 2003Digital satellite broadcasting begins

   The channel begins digital transmission through the Intelsat 904 satellite.

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6. 2001National network established

   Channel 31 forms a national television network reaching 14 cities in Kazakhstan.

   Source
7. 1994Radio 31 launches

   A related radio service begins broadcasting in Almaty on FM 103.5 MHz.

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8. 1993First broadcast as Channel 31

   The station begins broadcasting under the Channel 31 name in Alma-Ata on 12 April.

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9. 1992Regular broadcasting begins

   The broadcaster begins regular transmissions on 24 October under the TRC 31 Channel name.

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A broad-reach, bilingual national television network serving Kazakhstan with a blend of news, locally produced entertainment, family programming, and licensed international films and series.

• Channel 31 national television serviceBroadcast television1992

  The core Channel 31 service is a nationwide Kazakh television network based in Almaty. It carries a general-interest schedule including news, thematic programs, films, series, talk shows, comedy, cultural and historical programming, children's content, and selected sports coverage. Programming has been offered in both Kazakh and Russian, with the channel combining domestic production, dubbing, and licensed international entertainment.

• InformBuroNews programming

  InformBuro is identified among Channel 31's programming offerings. It represents the broadcaster's news and information function within a schedule otherwise centered on general entertainment and serial content. The supplied references do not provide a detailed description of its format, presenters, broadcast frequency, or current production arrangements.

• BALA BATTLEChildren's entertainment

  BALA BATTLE is listed among Channel 31's named programming offerings and is associated with the broadcaster's family and children's entertainment segment. The supplied material does not specify its launch date, episode structure, presenters, or current scheduling.

• 2023Full ownership consolidation under Verny CapitalM&A

  Channel 31 had previously been associated with minority external investment and the Verny Capital business group.

  What changed. Verny Capital Management Company acquired or assumed ownership of 100 percent of Channel 31's shares.

  Aftermath. The broadcaster became wholly owned by Verny Capital Management Company within the Verny Capital group.

  Source
• 2009Expansion of Kazakh-language programmingStrategy

  Channel 31 sought to strengthen its locally relevant programming while maintaining a bilingual schedule.

  What changed. The broadcaster increased dubbing production and launched or expanded Kazakh-language entertainment, comedy, talk, quiz, sports, and youth programs.

  Aftermath. The programming mix became more prominent in Kazakh while continuing to include Russian-language and imported content.

  Source
• 2008Broadcast-format refreshStrategy

  The broadcaster was repositioning its service amid an ownership transaction and a broader programming development effort.

  What changed. Channel 31 introduced an updated broadcast format in March.

  Aftermath. The refresh preceded a period of expanded local production, dubbing, and international content acquisition.

  Source
• 2003Move to digital satellite distributionGeneration change

  The broadcaster needed a distribution method capable of supporting wider geographic coverage.

  What changed. Channel 31 began digital broadcasting through Intelsat 904.

  Aftermath. Satellite distribution expanded the potential coverage area of the channel's signal.

  Source
• 2001Creation of a national networkStrategy

  Channel 31 had developed from an Almaty-based broadcaster into a service seeking broader national distribution.

  What changed. The company formed a television network covering 14 cities in Kazakhstan.

  Aftermath. The move established Channel 31 as a national broadcaster rather than a solely local station.

  Source

• 2023Verny Capital Management Company takes full ownership

  From 16 March 2023, Verny Capital Management Company owned 100 percent of Channel 31's shares.

  M&A
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• 2011Paramount Pictures licensing agreement

  Channel 31 signed an exclusive agreement with Paramount Pictures for television broadcasting rights to film content.

  Other
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• 2011Bagdad Kodzhahmetov appointed chief executive

  Bagdad Kodzhahmetov was appointed CEO of Channel 31 in Kazakhstan.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2009Channel 31 signs a Disney licensing agreement

  Channel 31 and The Walt Disney Company CIS entered an exclusive agreement concerning television rights for film content.

  M&A
  Source
• 2009Channel 31 expands Kazakh-language programming

  The channel introduced and promoted several Kazakh-language entertainment, talk, comedy, and youth programs, while also increasing dubbing production.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2008CTC Media acquires a minority stake in Channel 31

  A transaction giving CTC Media a 20 percent interest in the television company was completed.

  M&A
  Source
• 2008Channel 31 introduces an updated broadcast format

  The broadcaster began transmitting in an updated format as part of a programming and presentation refresh.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2003Channel 31 expands digital satellite distribution

  The channel began digital broadcasting via the Intelsat 904 satellite, expanding its potential coverage area.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2001Channel 31 forms a national television network

  The broadcaster developed a national network reaching 14 cities in Kazakhstan.

  Other
  Source

1. Channel 31 (Kazakhstan)
2. Channel 31 official website