Russian Telegram Channels Adapt After Throttling Cuts Audiences by About 50%
Updated
Updated · Meduza · Jun 11
Russian Telegram Channels Adapt After Throttling Cuts Audiences by About 50%
2 articles · Updated · Meduza · Jun 11
Summary
Late-April and early-May throttling cut Russian Telegram channels’ audiences by roughly half, pushing channel operators to shift readers to apps, VPNs, proxies and backup platforms.
Reach losses varied sharply by segment: entertainment channels reported drops of up to 35%, while some opposition and news channels said views fell only slightly or even rose after audiences used workarounds.
Ateo Breaking built a free proxy site and lighter media tools, TV Rain steered users to its app after YouTube’s 2024 block, and some publishers began duplicating content on Max or imo.
Advertising has become a bigger strain than traffic for many channels, with admins reporting lower CPMs, more reliance on VPN ads, and fears of a Telegram ad ban by year-end.
The responses reflect a broader Russian media strategy of going multiplatform under censorship, though admins say a full internet shutdown would leave few workable options.