The National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine has canceled the licenses of 14 companies owned by Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov. The regulator made the decision at a meeting on July 21.

In particular, these are the following channels: Ukraina, NLO-TV, Donbas, Indigo tv, Ukraine 24 (FTA and satellite license), Football 1, Football 2, Football 3 (satellite license).

The regulator also canceled the licenses of two providers of Media Group Ukraine: satellite platform Xtra.tv (LLC Extra-TV) and OTT platform Oll.tv (a legal entity of LLC Digital Screens). There were no representatives of the media group at the meeting. The Deputy Chairman of the National Council Oleh Chernysh noted that the fate of subscribers of the Xtra.tv DTH platform is unknown and regretted the lack of representatives.

In addition, the licenses of the Shakhtar football club — Shakhtar∙TV and the regional channel TV-5, which was owned by Zaporizhstal PJSC (Metinvest), TRKK SigmaTV LLC, and Mariupol TV and Radio Organization LLC (MTV) were canceled.

"Starting tomorrow, the licenses will expire," said the head of the National Council, Olha Gerasimiuk, "We are very grateful to the journalists, editors and technical staff who ensured the companies' work. I hope that they will find a suitable job, although it is difficult now."

She added that "you won't envy your colleagues now." But at the same time, according to her, the management of the group promised to ensure financial payments to employees.

"The management assured that the group will not broadcast from abroad," said Gerasimiuk. For half a year, according to her, the companies will work until the shutdown has been completed.

She also added that the National Council does not influence the policy of the United News telethon, so all questions about who will replace the Ukraine Media Group in the marathon are not for the regulator.

"We do not include anyone instead of the Ukraine channels, this is not our competence," she added.

Yesterday, the reporters and journalists of MGU succinctly said goodbye to the viewers of United News.