Shares in the pro-government Georgian TV channel Imedi have been redistributed among four individuals, while Viktor Japaridze, an MP elected to parliament on the Georgian Dream list and now a member of the People’s Power party, has sold his 52% stake in POSTV for ₾1,000 ($380). The changes come months after the UK sanctioned both channels over what British authorities described as the deliberate spread of misleading information about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The ownership of Imedi’s parent company, Georgian Media Production Group, has been redistributed, with four individuals now holding equal 25% stakes.
According to documents submitted to Georgia’s public registry, Prime Media Global, Vasil Kalandarishvili, and Natia Songhulashvili have relinquished their entire stakes in the company.
TV host Magda Anikashvili has become a new shareholder, while Imedi Director General Mariam (Maka) Lomidze, TV host Irakli Chikhladze, and Head of Programming Maia Chigoshvili have each increased their stakes from 10% to 25%.
The shares were transferred for nominal amounts. Kalandarishvili and Songhulashvili each relinquished their 10% stakes for ₾100 ($38), while Prime Media Global sold its 50% stake for ₾500 ($190).
OC Media contacted Imedi’s Irakli Chikhladze for comment, but he declined to comment.
Before the changes, Prime Media Global owned 50% of Georgian Media Production Group, while the remaining half was divided equally among five individuals, each holding a 10% stake.
The sale of Imedi was announced by businessperson Irakli Rukhadze on 6 February.
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Public registry documents showed that Prime Media Global acquired Georgian Media Production Group for ₾1,000 ($380).
At the time, it was announced that Prime Media Global would retain a 50% stake, with the remaining half going to the channel’s director and four deputies.
On 24 February, the UK sanctioned Imedi and POSTV. The following day, Rukhadze and three other members of Imedi’s supervisory board stepped down.
In late September, it emerged that Imedi had ended 2025 with a loss of ₾43 million ($16 million), bringing its accumulated losses over the years to ₾497 million ($185 million).
The channel also has significant financial liabilities, including ₾359 million ($137 million) in loans from shareholders and related companies.
The auditing company said the financial situation raised doubts about the company’s ability to continue operating.
Viktor Japaridze, a member of the People’s Power party, has sold his 52% stake in POSTV for ₾1,000 ($380).
Giorgi Shengelia, who had previously managed Japaridze’s stake, is now the majority owner of the channel. Following the redistribution, POSTV’s shareholders are Shengelia with 52%, Temur Charelashvili with 24%, and Shalva Ramishvili with 24%.
OC Media has also contacted Japaridze for comment.