Ever wonder how creativity thrives in the most challenging environments? Ukraine’s 1+1 Media is setting new standards, launching an impressive slate of original dramas, features, and romantic comedies. Their dedication to compelling storytelling is truly inspiring, bringing fresh narratives to screens everywhere. What incredible feats can media innovation achieve?
1+1 Media, a prominent Ukrainian broadcaster, is demonstrating remarkable resilience and strategic vision by significantly expanding its slate of original content. Operating within a demanding and evolving media landscape, the company is successfully building an impressive portfolio of compelling new productions, including a gritty crime drama, a festive family feature, and a lighthearted romantic comedy. This ambitious undertaking reflects a clear commitment to elevating Ukrainian storytelling and broadening its reach both domestically and internationally, marking a new era for local content creation.
The journey to cultivate a robust pipeline of original programming presents formidable challenges for any media organization, particularly for those navigating periods of intense national focus and resource reallocation. Anna Gonchar, Head of Investment and Partnership Projects at 1+1 Media, highlights the company’s dedicated efforts since 2022 to advance its television business amidst these complex circumstances. This proactive approach underscores a strategic pivot towards developing high-quality, homegrown content designed to offer audiences much-needed moments of respite and cultural connection during extraordinary times.
Historically, Ukrainian broadcasters, including 1+1, have been relatively recent entrants into the realm of streaming original productions, with most initiatives emerging within the last two years. This accelerated development, while driven by necessity, has been viewed by industry leaders like Gonchar not as competition, but as a pivotal opportunity for the Ukrainian market to mature and elevate its production standards. The rapid adoption of streaming strategies positions local content for greater visibility and appeal, fostering a dynamic environment for creative development and audience engagement.
Leading the new slate is “Enrique,” an intense true-crime drama starring Oleksandr Rudynskyi and Anastasia Pustovit. This series, known internationally by its revised title, delves into real events within a small town, following a young lawyer embroiled in an investigation into a series of brutal crimes. The narrative powerfully explores themes of societal inaction, complicity, and the formidable challenges faced by those attempting to instigate change within entrenched systems, promising a thought-provoking and high-quality viewing experience for audiences.
The project garnered significant international acclaim at the Content Warsaw Copro Pitch event, securing the top prize in the Scripted Series category. This recognition has provided substantial momentum for “Enrique” as it progresses toward shooting for an early 2026 release. Produced by Sfera Film in collaboration with 1+1’s joint venture streaming service KyivstarTV, the series benefits from Rudynskyi’s star power and the crew’s dedication to cinematic quality, aiming to set a new benchmark for Ukrainian production on the global stage.
Adding a touch of festive cheer, 1+1 Media’s first full feature production, “The Guardians Of Christmas,” is currently in post-production and slated for a November 13 cinema release. This film holds cultural significance beyond its entertainment value, coinciding with Ukraine’s adoption of the European Christmas celebration date. Gonchar notes that the movie aims to cement this cultural shift, ensuring that “children will know when to write their letters,” highlighting its role in contemporary Ukrainian tradition and national identity.
Further diversifying the slate is “Probation Period,” a charming romantic comedy anticipated to begin shooting in September for an early 2026 cinema debut. This film centers on the delightful premise of a mismatched man and woman competing for the same role during a three-month probation period. Their contrasting personalities—he a principled bore, she a frivolous rich kid—promise a humorous exploration of unexpected connections and the complexities of modern relationships, rounding out 1+1 Media’s varied new offerings.
Despite the prevailing operational complexities, 1+1 Media is actively pursuing international co-production opportunities, developing two new series and a feature film in collaboration with European partners. This strategic focus aims to overcome external hesitations by showcasing Ukraine’s robust production capabilities and competitive service offerings. Anna Gonchar emphasizes that the goal is not merely to seek funding but to build a sustainable, mutually beneficial system for developing brilliant ideas, affirming 1+1 Media’s position as a reliable and innovative force in the global content market.
