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Facts & Figures
Going to the cinema is one of the most popular pastimes in Russia. Even in 2020, amid the pandemic and lockdowns, total box office revenues reached $346.7 million and audience figures, 88 million people.
- -59.4% – drop in box office revenues in 2020 compared with 2019 (only Japan had a smaller one at -47%)
- 5th biggest cinema audience in the world
- 8th largest box office revenues in the world
- $3.9 – average ticket price in 2020
☐Russian box office, $ mln
☐Audience, mln
Usually, Russian content accounts for about 25% of the total box office. In 2020, delays in the release of studio blockbusters were offset with local films, which pushed the share of Russian-produced content to nearly 50% of box office revenues.
Russian content, %
☐Foreign content, %
Number of theatrical releases
2020 box office by genre
The highest grossing films in 2020, $ mln
Distributor | Box office, $ mln | ||
1 | Ice 2 (rus) | Sony | $23.354 |
2 | The Gentlemen | Volga | $19.435 |
3 | Invasion (rus) | Sony | $15.589 |
4 | Tenet | Caro Premier | $12.708 |
5 | The Croods: A New Age | Universal | $10.617 |
#1 Ice 2 (rus)
Distributor | Sony |
Box office, $ mln | $23.354 |
#2 The Gentlemen
Distributor | Volga |
Box office, $ mln | $19.435 |
#3 Invasion (rus)
Distributor | Sony |
Box office, $ mln | $15.589 |
#4 Tenet
Distributor | Caro Premier |
Box office, $ mln | $12.708 |
#5 The Croods: A New Age
Distributor | Universal |
Box office, $ mln | $10.617 |
The highest grossing films in 2016-2020, $ mln
Distributor | Box office, $ mln | ||
1 | 3 Seconds (rus) | Central Partnership | $51.671 |
2 | Son of a Rich (rus) | Central Partnership | $49.735 |
3 | The Lion King | Disney | $41.967 |
4 | Avengers: Endgame | Disney | $40.149 |
5 | Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales | Disney | $37.885 |
6 | T-34 (rus) | Central Partnership | $32.730 |
7 | The Secret Life of Pets | Universal | $31.139 |
8 | Avengers: Infinity War | Disney | $30.373 |
9 | Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | Disney | $29.835 |
10 | Venom | Sony | $29.377 |
#1 3 Seconds (rus)
Distributor | Central Partnership |
Box office, $ mln | $51.671 |
#2 Son of a Rich (rus)
Distributor | Central Partnership |
Box office, $ mln | $49.735 |
#3 The Lion King
Distributor | Disney |
Box office, $ mln | $41.967 |
#4 Avengers: Endgame
Distributor | Disney |
Box office, $ mln | $40.149 |
#5 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Distributor | Disney |
Box office, $ mln | $37.885 |
#6 T-34 (rus)
Distributor | Central Partnership |
Box office, $ mln | $32.730 |
#7 The Secret Life of Pets
Distributor | Universal |
Box office, $ mln | $31.139 |
#8 Avengers: Infinity War
Distributor | Disney |
Box office, $ mln | $30.373 |
#9 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Distributor | Disney |
Box office, $ mln | $29.835 |
#10 Venom
Distributor | Sony |
Box office, $ mln | $29.377 |
In 2020, six major distributors accounted for 73.3% of the film distribution market in Russia:
- Central Partnership (presents its own productions, independent studios and Paramount content)
- SPPR
- Caro Premier (until March 2021, presented Warner Bros. content) and Caro Prokat
- Volga
- Universal
- Walt Disney Studios
The total number of cinema theatres in Russia is 1,968 and the total number of screens is 5,323.
In 2020, the biggest cinema chains in terms of box office were:
- Formula Kino / Cinema Park joint network (14.4%)
- Kinomax (7.2%)
- CARO (5.6%)
- Premier Zal (4.9%)
- Cinema 5 (4%)
Theatres
☐Screens
The OTT market in Russia has been growing consistently. Factors contributing to this are the high internet penetration and the low cost of communication services as well as the large number of local players in tough competition who attract viewers with their own original productions.
- market size in 2021 $502.7m
- market growth in 2021 56%
- market growth forecast for 2022 28%
LOCAL OTT PLAYERS MARKET SHARE BY REVENUe
Free-to-air TV
One important feature of the Russian media landscape is the continued popularity of free-to-air TV. The time people spend watching TV is decreasing year-on-year but still remains quite substantial.
In recent years, television has been integrating with other media, adapting TV broadcasting to the digital and cross-platform environment along with improving the quality of signal delivery, which – taken all together – creates a synergy effect aimed at attracting a younger audience and increasing user involvement in watching TV content.
Among other things, this process manifests in the launch of streaming and on-demand viewing both on TV channels’ own internet resources and in online cinemas, the development of HD and 4K technologies, as well as interactive services.
Top 10 national TV channels in 2020 among viewers in the 14-44 age group (this age bracket largely corresponds to the main cinema- and theatre-going audience in Russia)
| TV channel | Share, % |
| СTС | 10.24 |
| TNT | 8.41 |
| Channel One | 6.97 |
| REN TV | 6.80 |
| NTV | 5.77 |
| TV-3 | 5.41 |
| Karusel | 5.23 |
| Rossiya 1 | 4.88 |
| Channel Five | 4.55 |
| Pyatnitsa | 4.13 |
Source: Mediascope
Top 10 national TV channels in 2020 among viewers aged 4+
TV channel | Share, % |
Rossiya 1 | 11.71 |
Channel One | 10.16 |
NTV | 9.74 |
Channel Five | 6.44 |
REN TV | 5.62 |
CTC | 5.27 |
Domashny | 4.90 |
Karusel | 4.23 |
TNT | 4.01 |
TV-3 | 3.65 |
Source: Mediascope
Traditionally, movies get higher TV ratings during the New Year holiday period than for the rest of the year as the audience, including young adults (14-44), are fond of watching Soviet classics at that time of the year. In the top 10 most popular films in the 14-44 age group in 2020, nine titles are films aired during the New Year holiday season.
Top 10: Most popular films on national TV in 2020 (viewers aged 14-44)
№ | Film title | TV channel | Broadcast date | Rating, % | Share, % |
1 | IVAN VASILIEVICH: BACK TO THE FUTURE | Rossiya 1 | 31.12.2020 | 6.2 | 22.2 |
2 | HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HALLOWS. PART 2 | STS | 08.01.2020 | 6.0 | 24.5 |
3 | THE IRONY OF FATE, OR ENJOY YOUR BATH! | Channel One | 31.12.2020 | 5.5 | 20.7 |
4 | LOVE AND DOVES | Channel One | 31.12.2020 | 5.3 | 23.3 |
5 | HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX | CTC | 05.01.2020 | 5.3 | 22.1 |
6 | HOME ALONE 2 | Channel One | 02.01.2020 | 5.3 | 28.8 |
7 | HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE | CTC | 04.01.2020 | 5.1 | 22.5 |
8 | GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE | Channel One | 31.12.2020 | 4.8 | 23.3 |
9 | KIDNAPPING CAUCASSIAN STYLE, OR SHURIK’S NEW ADVENTURES | Rossiya 1 | 31.12.2020 | 4.7 | 18.5 |
10 | ONLY OLD MEN ARE GOING TO BATTLE | Channel One | 09.05.2020 | 4.6 | 24.1 |
#1
Film title | IVAN VASILIEVICH: BACK TO THE FUTURE |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 6.2 |
Share, % | 22.2 |
#2
Film title | HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HALLOWS. PART 2 |
TV channel | STS |
Broadcast date | 08.01.2020 |
Rating, % | 6.0 |
Share, % | 24.5 |
#3
Film title | THE IRONY OF FATE, OR ENJOY YOUR BATH! |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 5.5 |
Share, % | 20.7 |
#4
Film title | LOVE AND DOVES |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 5.3 |
Share, % | 23.3 |
#5
Film title | HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX |
TV channel | CTC |
Broadcast date | 05.01.2020 |
Rating, % | 5.3 |
Share, % | 22.1 |
#6
Film title | HOME ALONE 2 |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 02.01.2020 |
Rating, % | 5.3 |
Share, % | 28.8 |
#7
Film title | HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE |
TV channel | CTC |
Broadcast date | 04.01.2020 |
Rating, % | 5.1 |
Share, % | 22.5 |
#8
Film title | GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 4.8 |
Share, % | 23.3 |
#9
Film title | KIDNAPPING CAUCASSIAN STYLE, OR SHURIK’S NEW ADVENTURES |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 4.7 |
Share, % | 18.5 |
#10
Film title | ONLY OLD MEN ARE GOING TO BATTLE |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 09.05.2020 |
Rating, % | 4.6 |
Share, % | 24.1 |
Source: Mediascope
At the same time, the top 10 most popular films in the 4+ age group for the same year feature a far greater number of new Russian releases and hardly any Hollywood content. The No 1 and No 3 on the list (Son of a Rich and T-34) were shown on TV for the first time ever.
Top 10: Most popular films on national TV in 2020 (viewers aged 4+)
№ | Film title | TV channel | Broadcast date | Rating, % | Share, % |
1 | SON OF A RICH | Rossiya 1 | 04.11.2020 | 26.22 | 7.93 |
2 | IVAN VASILIEVICH: BACK TO THE FUTURE | Rossiya 1 | 31.12.2020 | 20.07 | 7.68 |
3 | Т-34 | Rossiya 1 | 09.05.2020 | 26.71 | 6.96 |
4 | LOVE AND DOVES | Channel One | 31.12.2020 | 19.80 | 6.64 |
5 | KIDNAPPING CAUCASSIAN STYLE, OR SHURIK’S NEW ADVENTURES | Rossiya 1 | 31.12.2020 | 17.66 | 6.45 |
6 | THE LAST WARRIOR | Rossiya 1 | 01.01.2020 | 17.75 | 6.31 |
7 | ONLY OLD MEN ARE GOING TO BATTLE | Channel One | 09.05.2020 | 21.17 | 6.20 |
8 | THE IRONY OF FATE, OR ENJOY YOUR BATH! | Channel One | 31.12.2020 | 15.70 | 5.87 |
9 | GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE | Channel One | 31.12.2020 | 17.74 | 5.38 |
10 | HOME ALONE 2 | Channel One | 02.01.2020 | 19.07 | 5.11 |
#1
Film title | SON OF A RICH |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 04.11.2020 |
Rating, % | 26.22 |
Share, % | 7.93 |
#2
Film title | IVAN VASILIEVICH: BACK TO THE FUTURE |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 20.07 |
Share, % | 7.68 |
#3
Film title | T-34 |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 09.05.2020 |
Rating, % | 26.71 |
Share, % | 6.96 |
#4
Film title | LOVE AND DOVES |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 19.8 |
Share, % | 6.64 |
#5
Film title | KIDNAPPING CAUCASSIAN STYLE, OR SHURIK’S NEW ADVENTURES |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 17.66 |
Share, % | 6.45 |
#6
Film title | THE LAST WARRIOR |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Broadcast date | 01.01.2020 |
Rating, % | 17.75 |
Share, % | 6.31 |
#7
Film title | ONLY OLD MEN ARE GOING TO BATTLE |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 09.05.2020 |
Rating, % | 21.17 |
Share, % | 6.2 |
#8
Film title | THE IRONY OF FATE, OR ENJOY YOUR BATH! |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 15.7 |
Share, % | 5.87 |
#9
Film title | GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 31.12.2020 |
Rating, % | 17.74 |
Share, % | 5.38 |
#10
Film title | HOME ALONE 2 |
TV channel | Channel One |
Broadcast date | 02.01.2020 |
Rating, % | 19.07 |
Share, % | 5.11 |
Source: Mediascope
Top 5: Most popular TV series on national TV in 2020 in the 14-44 age group in cities with a population of 100,000+ on the basis of the average rating for all episodes
№ | Project | TV channel | Number of episodes | Rating, % | Share, % |
1 | Olga (season 4) | TNT | 17 | 3.7 | 19.6 |
2 | Ivanko | TNT | 17 | 3.5 | 16.7 |
3 | Patriot | TNT | 17 | 3.1 | 14.6 |
4 | Papik | CTC | 16 | 3.0 | 15.9 |
5 | Pereval Dyatlova | TNT | 8 | 3.0 | 16.0 |
#1
Project | Olga (season 4) |
TV channel | TNT |
Number of episodes | 17 |
Rating, % | 3.7 |
Share, % | 19.6 |
#2
Project | Ivanko |
TV channel | TNT |
Number of episodes | 17 |
Rating, % | 3.5 |
Share, % | 16.7 |
#3
Project | Patriot |
TV channel | TNT |
Number of episodes | 17 |
Rating, % | 3.1 |
Share, % | 14.6 |
#4
Project | Papik |
TV channel | CTC |
Number of episodes | 16 |
Rating, % | 3.0 |
Share, % | 15.9 |
#5
Project | Pereval Dyatlova |
TV channel | TNT |
Number of episodes | 8 |
Rating, % | 3.0 |
Share, % | 16.0 |
Source: Mediascope
Top 5: Most popular TV series on national TV in 2020 in the 4+ age group in cities with a population of 100,000+ on the basis of the average rating for all episodes
№ | Project | TV channel | Number of episodes | Rating, % | Share, % |
1 | Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes | Rossiya 1 | 8 | 6.4 | 20.0 |
2 | Ferrywoman | Rossiya 1 | 16 | 6.0 | 19.1 |
3 | Magomayev | Channel One | 8 | 4.8 | 16.5 |
4 | Kazanova | Channel One | 8 | 4.8 | 16.2 |
5 | Spasskaya | Rossiya 1 | 8 | 4.7 | 18.7 |
#1
Project | Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Number of episodes | 8 |
Rating, % | 6.4 |
Share, % | 20.0 |
#2
Project | Ferrywoman |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Number of episodes | 16 |
Rating, % | 6.0 |
Share, % | 19.1 |
#3
Project | Magomayev |
TV channel | Channel One |
Number of episodes | 8 |
Rating, % | 4.8 |
Share, % | 16.5 |
#4
Project | Kazanova |
TV channel | Channel One |
Number of episodes | 8 |
Rating, % | 4.8 |
Share, % | 16.2 |
#5
Project | Spasskaya |
TV channel | Rossiya 1 |
Number of episodes | 8 |
Rating, % | 4.7 |
Share, % | 18.7 |
Source: Mediascope
Pay TV
Pay TV is the second most widespread delivery method for audiovisual content in Russia. Unlike free-to-air television, pay TV services are provided for a subscription fee. Content is delivered through three different technologies: cable TV (40% of subscribers in 2020), satellite TV (38% of subscribers in 2020) and IPTV (22% of subscribers in 2020).
In 2020, pay TV subscriber base grew by 1.8%, to 46.2 million households (according to TMT Consult).
By the end of 2020, pay TV penetration rate exceeded 81.5%. Operators’ revenue grew by 2%.
Pay TV channels’ average revenue per user (ARPU) is $2.6 a month.
Russia’s pay TV scene is dominated by five main operators, which account for 75% of the market: Tricolor (27% of subscribers), Rostelecom (23% of subscribers), MTS (9% of subscribers), ER-Telecom (8% of subscribers) and Orion (7% of subscribers).