CTC Media CEO steps down

Rodnyansky to focus on film activities

By NICK HOLDSWORTH

Rodnyansky

Rodnyansky is working on 'Inhabited Island.'

Alexander Rodnyansky, who turned a niche channel into one of Russia’s most powerful TV networks, worth around $4 billion, is stepping down to focus on producing film and running the country’s national film festival, Kinotavr.

Ukrainian-born Rodnyansky joined CTC in 2002 and was appointed CEO two years later at mother company CTC Media.

Anton Kudryashov, former head of rival channel NTV, will succeed Rodnyansky as CEO on Aug. 4. Rodnyansky will remain CTC Media prexy and become a board member.

Kudryashov is expected to focus on personnel and management issues at the Nasdaq-listed company that runs CTC, daytime femme-oriented channel Domashny and male-skewed DTV, which it acquired for $395 million in April from Sweden’s Modern Times Group.

Rodnyansky, who founded Ukrainian commercial channel, Kiev-based Studio 1+1, before moving to Moscow, is expected to concentrate on finishing “Inhabited Island” -- a $40 million feature he is producing based on a classic Soviet-era sci-fi novel by the Strugatsky brothers -- and developing the commercial potential of Kinotavr, the Russian film awards, of which he is co-owner.

In his role as CTC Media president, Rodnyansky is expected to continue influencing the creative and strategic development of the channel.

In a statement, Rodnyansky said: “I am proud to have participated in guiding the company through this period of successful growth. I look forward to continuing to take part in the further strategic development of the company as its president and a member of the board.”