RT America Ceases Production, Lays off Staff

RT News is halting all production in America and laying off the majority of its staff, due to unexpected business disruptions.

T&R Productions, the production company behind the Kremlin-funded network told staff on Thursday that it will be ceasing production of RT America, and laying off nearly all staff due to “unforeseen business interruption events.”

“Unfortunately, we anticipate this layoff will be permanent, meaning that this will result in the permanent separation from employment of most T&R employees at all locations,” said T&R Productions general manager Misha Solodovnikov in a memo. This effectively means that RT America will be no more, during a time of tumultuous geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

“We are sad and disappointed that our groundbreaking channel RT America had to go off the air after more than 10 years, and that the company that supplied much of its content, T&R Productions, had to cease most of its operations, due to challenging external circumstances,” wrote RT’s deputy editor-in-chief Anna Belkina to CNN. “However, we are working hard to find ways that its staff, which has for many years produced award-winning news and programming content, can remain within RT’s international family.”

RT News, which has numerous networks around the globe, has experienced substantial pushback as of recent, as major tech companies and television providers pull the plug over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. RT America, the network’s arm operating from Washington, DC, was abandoned by DirecTV— one of two satellite carriers offering the network in the US— this week. Similarly, internet streaming content company Roku also dropped RT America from its platform.

However, there is a silver lining for RT News viewers, because the Russian-backed news network also on Thursday announced it will begin broadcasting on Rumble, the popular YouTube-like streaming website attracting the conservative demographic. The move comes after several US tech companies— including Meta Platforms and Twitter— began restricting RT’s content over calls from Western governments to curb Russian propaganda.

Information for this briefing was found via CNN and Reuters. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.