**Georgian TV Advertising Revenues Soar, But Challenges Loom**
In the first quarter of 2025, Georgia’s pro-government broadcaster, TV Imedi, dominated commercial television advertising revenues. The channel took in a whopping GEL 6.1 million, a significant increase from the same period last year. This puts it firmly ahead of its main competitors, Rustavi 2 and POSTV, both also known for their pro-government stance.
TV Imedi’s success is no surprise, given the close ties between the channel and the ruling Georgian Dream party. Meanwhile, opposition broadcasters like Formula TV and TV Pirveli showed some improvement, with revenues rising by GEL 0.8 million and GEL 0.4 million respectively. However, their total earnings remain lower than those of the pro-government channels.
The Public Broadcaster also saw a slight increase in its revenue, reaching GEL 0.4 million. Other media outlets, like business news portal bm.ge and TV channel Silknet, maintained relatively stable performances.
**Advertising Revenues on the Rise**
Commercial advertising revenues across television and radio reached GEL 16.4 million in Q1 2025, a 5% increase from the same period last year. This boost is largely driven by television, which accounted for GEL 14.8 million of the total revenue, a 5.7% rise.
**Radio Takes a Backseat**
In contrast to TV, radio stations brought in relatively meager earnings, with GEL 1.7 million in revenue, up only 1.1% from last year. Direct advertising dominated both radio and TV ad revenues, making up 74% of TV sales and 89% of radio.
**Challenges Ahead**
However, beyond the numbers, there are deeper concerns about the state of Georgia’s media landscape. Opposition-leaning Mtavari TV has officially ceased operations after months of internal conflicts and alleged interference from the ruling party. The recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting have sparked worries among critics that these changes will further restrict press freedom.
**”A Threat to Freedom of Media and Expression,” SJC Warns**
In February, the ruling Georgian Dream party introduced two contentious amendments to the Law on Broadcasting. One would ban foreign funding for audio-visual media, while the other would grant the Communications Commission (ComCom) sweeping new powers to regulate broadcasting content.
These changes have raised concerns about the impact on press freedom and expression in Georgia. The Supreme Court of Justice has already warned that these amendments “threaten freedom of media and expression.”
**A Troubling Trend**
As we look ahead, it’s clear that the challenges facing Georgia’s media landscape are far more complex than just advertising trends. The country needs to address its ongoing issues with press freedom and ensure a level playing field for all broadcasters.
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