Imedi TV was sold

There is a change of owner in Imedi TV. According to a statement issued by Badri Patarkatsishvili’s family, the family transferred ownership of Imedi TV to a company controlled by Hunnewell Partners. 

“We would like to inform you that our family has transferred ownership of Imedi TV to a company controlled by Hunnewell Partners. The transaction was completed in August 2021, preceded by the approval of the Georgian National Communications Regulatory Commission. Under the terms of the deal, a 100% stake in Georgian Media Production Group, the owner of Imedi Media Holding, was transferred to Media Finance Group BV, which is part of Honeywell Partners group of companies.

Owning Imedi for the past few years has been a great responsibility for our family. Following the tragic death of Badri in 2008 and the illegal seizure of the TV station, we were forced to engage in years of litigation to protect our legitimate interests. For almost 10 years since the return of Imedi, we have been honored to work with the best professionals in our field, and we have made every effort to offer independent and impartial broadcasting to the public. The TV station was gradually getting stronger and deserved the viewers’ trust. Our family is proud that Imedi’s objective broadcasting policy has gained wide recognition among the Georgian audience. For us, this is as important as it was for Badri.

But since we have been living outside of Georgia for most of the last few years, the channel was managed by Irakli Rukhadze, the head of Hunnewell Partners, who previously worked with Badri personally and later with our family. Hunnewell Partners shares our belief that Imedi should be an objective broadcaster that will make a significant contribution to Georgia’s democratic development, and that it is committed to maintaining high standards of television editorial independence and professionalism. 

We believe that our decision will be right for the viewers of Imedi, as well as for the Georgian society as a whole and for our family” – said a statement issued by Badri Patarkatsishvili’s family.