RT
RT (Russia Today) is Russia's state-owned international television network, founded in 2005 and operated under government ownership. It broadcasts multilingual news in seven languages across satellite TV, web, mobile, and social platforms to global audiences seeking alternative perspectives to Western mainstream media.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersMoscow, Russia
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What RT does
RT (Russia Today) is Russia's state-owned international television network, founded in 2005 and operated by the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization "TV-Novosti" under the ownership and control of the Russian Government. The network provides multilingual news coverage in Russian, English, Arabic, Spanish, German, French, and Serbian, targeting global audiences seeking alternative perspectives to Western mainstream media narratives. Its product portfolio spans satellite TV broadcasting, a multi-language website platform (rt.com and regional variants such as arabic.rt.com and de.rt.com), mobile applications, live streaming, original programming through "RT Shows," and investigative documentary projects under "RT Projects." The underlying technology is a multimedia broadcast production and multi-language content management system supporting synchronized content delivery across web, mobile, and social channels, backed by a global correspondent network with on-the-ground presence in conflict zones including Lebanon and Venezuela.
The network distributes content through satellite TV, web streaming, mobile applications, and major social platforms (Facebook, X/Twitter, VK, Telegram, YouTube, Odysee, Rutube), supplemented by email newsletters and podcast content. RT operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model targeting International News Consumers, Russian-Speaking Diaspora, and Regional Language Audiences. While advertising is a stated revenue stream, the network is primarily funded by the Russian state rather than commercial revenue. Headquartered in Moscow with over 10,000 employees, RT reaches audiences in over 100 countries but faces geographic restrictions following EU sanctions imposed in 2025-2026 as part of broader measures targeting Russia's propaganda networks.
RT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RT
- Legal name
- Autonomous Nonprofit Organization "TV-Novosti"
- Website
- https://rt.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- RT (Russia Today) is Russia's state-owned international television network, founded in 2005 and operated under government ownership. It broadcasts multilingual news in seven languages across satellite TV, web, mobile, and social platforms to global audiences seeking alternative perspectives to Western mainstream media.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International News Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Multilingual/Diaspora Broadcasters (MPABAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multilingual/Diaspora News Channels (MPABAIAJ), Rolling News & Breaking News Channels (MPABAIAH)
Keywords
Where RT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Moscow
- HQ country
- Russia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
RT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: RT generates revenue through advertising on its television broadcasts and digital platforms, serving as Russia's state-funded international media network
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
RT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RT operates a global multi-language news broadcasting network delivering breaking news, analysis, features, and original programming via satellite television, web streaming, and mobile applications. The organization produces and distributes news content in seven languages (English, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, German, French, and Serbian), operating language-specific websites and a mobile app to reach international audiences with Russian-state editorial perspectives on global events.
Product overview
RT is an international news broadcasting organization offering a multi-platform news media portfolio. The core offering is the RT News Website (rt.com) which provides news content across seven language editions (English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, German, French, Serbian). Supporting the website are the RT News App for mobile access, RT Live Broadcasting for real-time content, and original programming through RT Shows and RT Projects. The organization operates as a unified news platform with regional content sections covering Russia, World News, Business, India, Africa, and specialized content categories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RT News Website Primary digital news platform delivering breaking news, world news, Russia news, business coverage, and video content across seven language editions (English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, German, French, Serbian).
- RT News App Mobile application providing RT news content on smartphones and tablets, serving as a primary on-the-go news consumption channel for global audiences.
- RT Live Broadcasting Live streaming service delivering real-time news broadcasts and on-air programming for international audiences.
- RT Shows Original programming including news shows, features, analysis, opinion pieces, and documentary content.
- RT Projects Special investigative reports, in-depth features, and documentary projects providing long-form journalism.
Quantifiable outcome
- Global multi-language news coverage reaching international audiences
Companies that use RT
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
RT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
RT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Bitcoin Policy InstituteminorRT is referenced in the Bitcoin Policy Institute report as one of the state media outlets (alongside CGTN, China Daily, Global Times) running direct campaigns against U.S. AI infrastructure development. RT's role is documented as amplifying foreign influence narratives.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
RT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Deutsche Welle (DW): Germany's state-funded international broadcaster operating in 30+ languages including German, English, Arabic, Spanish, and Russian. Comparable to RT as a publicly funded multilingual broadcaster with a global correspondent network and multi-platform distribution.
- Al Jazeera Media Network: Qatari state-funded international news network with Arabic and English channels plus multiple language verticals. Directly comparable to RT as a state-backed international broadcaster with multi-language editions, strong Middle East correspondent network, and similar global distribution footprint.
- TRT World: Turkish state-funded international English-language news broadcaster. Comparable to RT as a state-backed international news network with multi-platform distribution and editorial positioning as an alternative perspective to Western coverage.
- Press TV: Iranian state-owned international English-language news broadcaster. Comparable to RT as a state-funded international news network operating with a non-Western editorial perspective and similar regulatory/sanctions exposure.
- France 24: French state-funded international news channel broadcasting in French, English, Arabic, and Spanish. Comparable to RT in its public-broadcaster funding model, multilingual distribution, and role as a government-influenced alternative-voice international news outlet.
- CGTN (China Global Television Network): China's state-owned multilingual international broadcaster operating in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian, and other languages. Closely comparable to RT in ownership structure (state-backed), funding model, multilingual global distribution, and editorial positioning as an alternative to Western mainstream media.
Broad incumbents
- Sky News: UK-based international 24/7 news broadcaster. Comparable to RT as a global, multi-language (or multilingual-targeting) rolling news channel, though operating on a commercial rather than state-funded model.
- BBC World Service: UK public broadcaster's international arm delivering news in 40+ languages. Comparable to RT in multilingual global news delivery, correspondent network, and public-service orientation, though with significantly larger scale and broader non-news programming.
- Voice of America (VOA): U.S. government-funded international broadcaster operating in 40+ languages. Comparable to RT in state-backed funding model and multilingual international news distribution, and explicitly cited alongside RT in foreign-influence policy discussions.
- CCTV (China Central Television): China's state-owned domestic and international television broadcaster, parent of CGTN. Comparable to RT in state ownership structure, multi-channel news operation, and role as a government-aligned broadcaster with global ambitions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RT social profiles
Digital presenceRT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
RT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RT
What does RT do?
RT operates a global multi-language news broadcasting network delivering breaking news, analysis, features, and original programming via satellite television, web streaming, and mobile applications. The organization produces and distributes news content in seven languages (English, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, German, French, and Serbian), operating language-specific websites and a mobile app to reach international audiences with Russian-state editorial perspectives on global events.
Is RT a public or private company?
RT is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was RT founded?
RT was founded in 2005. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is RT based?
RT is headquartered in Moscow, Russia, in the Europe region.
How does RT make money?
One revenue line is on record: advertising Revenue.
Who are RT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Deutsche Welle (DW), Al Jazeera Media Network, TRT World, Press TV, France 24 and CGTN (China Global Television Network). Broad incumbents are Sky News, BBC World Service, Voice of America (VOA) and CCTV (China Central Television).
Does RT have an API?
No public API is recorded for RT.
What industry is RT in?
RT's product category is International News Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAEAG, International Multilingual/Diaspora Broadcasters, with a secondary code of MPABAIAJ, Multilingual/Diaspora News Channels. Its NAICS code is 51612 and its SIC code is 4833.