Lifenews to take over offices of Rain TV

Russian news channel Lifenews is likely to take over the current offices of Rain TV, Russia’s leading liberal media outlet, which has faced a series of setbacks in recent months including risk of closure. Reports emerged yesterday that Rain TV will be forced to vacate their premises at Red October, a complex of buildings opposite the Kremlin, following the expiration of their tenancy agreement in June.

Rain TV announced its imminent closure earlier this year following a collapse in their finances. The channel was dropped by a number of major cable providers after it published a controversial poll on its website.

However, earlier this week, Natalia Sindeeva, co-owner and general director of Rain TV, said the channel would continue to operate despite financial difficulties by turning to alternative sources such as advertising, crowd funding and audience subscriptions. She said: “We don’t plan to close, because in four years of existing the channel has become necessary for viewers. The news channel Rain and its website with continue to work.”

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Colta, Sostav