Georgia’s Main Channel, a television network known for its critical stance toward the government, has officially gone off air after nearly six years of broadcasting. The final message aired to viewers on Thursday reads “here was the Main Channel”. Thank you for watching us! You are the main one.”
The closure marks the end of a turbulent chapter in Georgia’s media landscape. The channel, launched on 9 September 2019 by former Rustavi 2 Director General Nika Gvaramia, had long positioned itself as a “voice of dissent”, frequently challenging the country’s ruling establishment.
In a farewell statement shared on the channel’s Facebook page, the station reflected on its journey, saying “the existence of our channel has not been easy since its inception… We were destroyed by the very ones who, in their time, helped us build these impenetrable walls.” The post accused one of the station’s own founders of sabotaging the network for personal motives, saying the move ultimately served the interests of the “Russian regime.”
The station’s final broadcast comes days after staff were informed by General Director Giorgi Gabunia that operations would cease on 1 May. Gabunia, who took over leadership in February 2024, accused Gogi (Giorgi) Kurdadze – a representative of co-owner Zaza Okuashvili – of deliberately engineering a financial crisis to force the channel’s shutdown.
Signs of the network’s decline had been visible for months. On 15 February, the Main Channel drastically cut back airtime, airing only TV series and halting all live programming. In late January, it ceased
broadcasting for audiences using household antennas.
In a statement issued on 27 January, the network openly criticized co-founder Zaza Okuashvili, alleging he was “systematically following the path characteristic of the Russian regime.”
The conflict reached a tipping point in late December 2024, when Okuashvili’s camp demanded Gabunia’s resignation and submitted a letter claiming Gabunia intended to step down. The request, however, was not upheld by the relevant authorities due to procedural issues.
The Main Channel was initially launched with ambitions to provide an alternative voice in Georgia’s politically polarized media environment.
In 2020, Gvaramia, the former United National Movement official, and co-founder Kakhaber Anjaparidze transferred 40 percent of the channel’s shares to companies affiliated with Okuashvili. Gvaramia later stepped down as Director General and transferred part of his remaining stake to his wife.
In March 2024, Gvaramia re-entered politics, co-founding the political union Ahhali alongside former United National Movement chairman Nika Melia.
As of now, the Main Channel continues to maintain a presence through its website and social media platforms.
