🎬 Streaming Platforms Boost Original Series Production
Russian online streaming services expanded their original content slates in the first half of 2026. According to data from the Kinopoisk Pro Index, streaming platforms debuted 75 original titles—a 6% increase compared to the same period last year.
When factoring in VGTRK’s Smotrim service, the total number of premieres reached 81. Okko maintained its market lead by volume with 24 series, followed by Start with 15 projects (up 70% year-over-year), while Ivi rounded out the top three with 11 original titles.
The defining trend of the period was a twofold surge in co-productions: 11 originals (including eight scripted series) were co-created by two or more streaming platforms. An additional nine projects were produced in partnership with national broadcast networks.
Analysts and industry executives attribute the rise of co-exclusivity to platforms seeking to mitigate financial risks, pool investments, and leverage combined marketing expertise. This shift comes as total streaming revenue jumped 29.2% to reach 220.1 billion rubles at year-end 2025.
However, market players hold divergent strategies regarding shared releases. While Start views co-productions as an integral component of its distribution strategy, Wink and Kion continue to prioritize exclusive originals. Wink executives note that collaborating with competing streaming platforms is reserved for exceptional cases driven by project economics, preferring television networks as primary partners. Similarly, Kion emphasizes that proprietary original content remains the core differentiator for brand identity in a maturing media landscape.
Source: Kommersant
