Mediasat decided to pay attention on the strong half of humanity by reviewing men’s TV channels available for Ukrainian audience. In fact, there are not so much of them, as sports, entertainment, educational and erotic channels belong to separate niches. It turns out that men have a small choice. There are just two TV channels of Ukrainian production. There exists a bit more of the Russian ones, and this kind of TV channels for our neighbors appear more often than for us. But, as the saying runs: make yourself at home.
Men’s passions
1. «1 Auto TV»
1 Auto TV, being the only Ukrainian TV channel, the programs of which are entirely devoted to cars, appeared in 2008 and forms part of Autocentre Media Group. Mostly, the channel produces content on its own, but its air is also represented by the best international shows. These are Top Gear and Automaniacs, taken a liking of all people. The programs of its own production allow viewers to see tests and reviews of various cars, to watch the World Rally Championship or to learn the capacities of your car. A very useful program can be named Mobile AvtoAdvokat, where a driver can get new information, learn the correct actions in a given traffic situation, as well as get a piece of advice.
Most probably that due to such an efficient work the 1 Auto TV was the winner of Media & Sat Leaders Award in 2009 – 2011 in the nomination of the Original TV project, and in 2012 and 2013 it ranked second in the nomination of the Best Men’s Channel.
2. «Auto Plus»
Auto Plus Channel is the first Russian 24-hour TV channel about cars, motor racing and outdoor activities. It was established as far back as 2006 and forms part of the Red Media Holding. Mostly, the channel produces its own content. It’s worth noting TV programs on Russian military equipment, rare and exotic cars, vehicle tests and legal assistance to drivers. But the air is also represented by foreign programs like English and Australian versions of Top Gear, American TV project Automaniacs and German show D-motor. The channel also broadcasts WRC, NASCAR and the Superstars racing, Japanese drifting competitions D1.GP. In 2011 Auto Plus started screening feature movies of domestic and foreign cinema on automotive subjects, for sure.
This channel has been taking part in the Media & Sat Leaders Award since 2011. For three years it made a confident leap forward by joining the top five in the nomination of the Best Men’s Channel.
3. «Drive»
Drive is one of the non-terrestrial niche channels of the STREAM Company. It holds itself out as a channel for cars-crazy men and women. The air-time contains programs about the history of the famous car brands, people’s cars, tuning and innovations of the international automotive shows. This TV channel broadcasts a great number of programs that can assist car enthusiasts in choosing a good car brand and tell about its hidden capacities and shortcomings. It is noteworthy that many of the stars of the Russian show business appear as TV presenters at Drive channel.
This channel also made a confident step forward by ranking fourth in the nomination of the Best Men’s Channel within the Media & Sat Leaders 2013 Award.
Primitive instincts
4. «Hunting and Fishing»
Hunting and fishing is another TV channel of STREAM Company, dedicated to those who consider these activities being their passions. The TV channel’s broadcasting lasts for 24 hours; the programs of its own production are focused on hunting and fishing just in Russian environment. A viewer can learn about testing weapons and tackles, hunting history and secrets of the field cooking. In turn, the TV channel broadcasts also foreign programs showing such specific activities as spearfishing or jungle hunting.
During its participation in the Media & Sat Leaders Award the channel has been always remaining at arm’s length from the top five, and in 2013 it finally managed to conquer this milestone by ranking third in the nomination of the Best Men’s Channel.
5. Chasse et Peche
Chasse et Peche (translated as Hunting and Fishing) is a French TV channel on fishing and hunting. The air content of the channel includes French transmission cycles and documentaries. Now our fishermen and hunters have an opportunity not only to learn the secrets of the French who are similar in hobbies, but also to see it with their own eyes. In addition, the TV presenters will tell about the features of the natural world and its inhabitants. Since September 2013 the TV channel has been broadcasting in Russian.
6. «Oruzhie (Arms)»
The TV channel Oruzhie was launched in 2010. Today this is the only channel, the programs of which are entirely devoted to arms. These are archery, warships, submarines, tanks, fighters, space systems and others. The TV channel’s programs introduce viewers to the detailed structure and use of any arms, telling about its history and application rules, as well as about martial arts and close combat. But the arms imply responsibility, so the TV channel gives literacy classes on storing and using arms. It’s worth noting, however, that since the end of February the channel’s programs have fallen under the scope of the National Council, and it may happen in the near future that the channel will be recognized inconsistent with the requirements of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television and the laws of Ukraine.
7. «2+2»
2+2 is a Ukrainian TV channel, designed for 20-50-year men, forms part of the group of channels within 1+1 Media. It its air-time a viewer can find different programs of his liking: broadcasting of sports matches, boxing fights, Russian and foreign TV serials and movies. The main content of the air-time is represented by truly male cinema like actions, fictions, thrillers, adventures and disasters. This channel should draw a special attention of soccer fans, as in 2012 up to 2015 the 2+2 can legally broadcast the Ukrainian Championship and the League of Europe.
This channel has repeatedly won the Media & Sat Leaders Award: in 2009, when the former name of the channel was Kino (Cinema) (it obtained its actual name in 2010), it became the best movie channel, in 2011 – the best regional TV channel, and in 2012 and 2013 – the best men’s channel.
8. Outdoor Channel
Outdoor Channel is an American TV channel, specially designed for the strong half of society who enjoys outdoor activities. Even while sitting in armchair. Its programs are devoted to adventures and outdoor activities, fishing, hunting, car and motor racing. The channel’s air-time is also filled with more uncommon shows like, for example, bull-riding or racing over deserts or wild forests. The TV presenters are famous American actors, writers and athletes who carry the audience along to different corners of the globe, like Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Iran, Pakistan, Spain, Ethiopia, Russia and many other countries.
New entrant
9. «Avto24»
Avto24 is a novice among the automotive TV channels and forms part of Content Union Media Group. It started broadcasting on October 15, 2013. From the very beginning the channel took a high start, trying to produce its own content. At the same time, it transmits programs of the German Motor Und Sport Channel, integrated into the Motor Press TV Holding. The channel’s content includes programs on test drives for various vehicles, programs for female drivers, TV presenter’s travelling by car to various cities and countries. Despite the fact, that the channel has just practically started its broadcasting, its programs are interesting not only to men. And it evidences a constant increase in viewership.
Conclusion
Looking through the TV channels for our men, one is falling under a general pleasant impression. First of all, in view of the TV content’s representation. The programs aim at showing a man the best aspects of his certain hobby, offering an opportunity to learn more about it. Among the positive features one may note a fact, that the most of TV channels not only tell about anything, but do it in an original way without platitudes.
The dynamics of men’s TV channels’ appearing in the niche television market is quite high, but unfortunately it can’t be applied to Ukrainian realities. In my opinion, it is very strange, as the niche is quite interesting and covers a huge audience. Naturally, the most of male viewers dilutes its TV menu by sports or cognitive programs, but in this case we are talking about men’s channels as such. The correction of this situation is possible and, I believe, even necessary. The question is: will anyone undertake to do it?
