The year that changed the world. 2020 was the most challenging and extraordinary year for NTV. Our content editors worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to give the audiences the most entertaining, engaging, and fabulous TV experience ever. The COVID-19 was the dominant global story but NTV aimed to highlight the kindness, empathy, and dynamism in all its programs. Such innovative content strategy propelled NTV to become #2 nationwide channel for a major part of this challenging year and to be #1 upon premiering many top series.
Here are some highlights of our great programs in 2020.
‘Shepherd’has become the most memorable series overall in Russia. The story of a former police detective and his dog who now investigate crimes as an independent team, has proven to be super popular among all audiences. The combination of situational humour, mystery, and suspension entangled with characters’ personal perils is relatable, fun to watch, and highly entertaining. The show has been a smashing hit during all 5 seasons, with viewing share reaching 20.5% and TVR 5.5.
Next on the list is ‘Nevsky’ — another great crime drama focusing on a police detective who tirelessly fights corruption and catches bad guys. But he is not your average muscled man that combats injustice by punching and shooting. He has strong ethics and a very solid set of core values that audience appreciate and can relate to. His strength and his secrets mixed with action, personal dramas, and mysteries create an original, fascinating series that crush ratings 4 seasons in a row. In 2020, S4 final episode scored 17.1% viewing share and 5.2 TVR — great achievement for a seasoned show, don’t you think?
Let’s step away from tried and truelong-term hits and look at the 2020 hot premieres on NTV.
First would be ‘Savage’- an incredibly powerful historical investigative drama about a former Nazi collaborator masquerading as a model citizen in the 1970s USSR. Based on a true story, this is a chilling tale of murders, mysteries, and war crimes. Aired on June 22, the anniversary of Great Patriotic War in Russia, the series immediately jumped to be the top premiere and kept the viewers guessing until the very end. The skillfully recreated ambience of the war era, brilliant acting, and the plot twists made ‘Savage’ simply outstanding. You’ve got to see it to believe it.
Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the WWII ending in Russia, NTV aired one of the most amazing and deeply touching short series ‘The Hero of All Time’. In the center of this drama is the oldest Soviet soldier, Nikolai Morozov, who went through toughest Russian prisons before the October Revolution and then pushed to be drafted at the age of 82. Based on a real character, the series is fascinating and engaging, showing viewers a totally different side of the WWII in Russia.
To move away from war dramas, let’s talk about NTV’s mixed genre top hits of 2020.
‘Sunshine Investigations’ is #1 on this list, a perfect blend of beach scenery, motorcycle racing, and humorous situations. This crimedy stars the same popular actor as in ‘Shepherd’ and he adds a great depth to his character, even in the most comic situations. It’s light, sunny, and funny. Click the picture to see the trailer.
‘Dr.Driver’ is next in line. This medical drama has captured viewers’ hearts for 3 seasons now, making it the consistent winner in ratings battles. In 2020 it was 18.4% viewing share during the premiere. The series is the perfect blend of melodrama, dramaticlife-or-death situations, and the subtle, soft humor. Occasionally, it plunges into the criminal world, creating big troubles in the doctor’s life. But the super charismatic protagonist never gives up or caves. Click the picture to see the trailer.
The list of mixed genre gems wouldn’t be complete without ‘Reluctant Hero’. The series’ basic premises is a brilliant idea — take a loser, give him a deadly tumor, and then make him into a hero. One catch though — he must risk his life to save others in order to have his tumor shrunk. Now would you choose to look the death in the eyes with a slim hope you’d get better? The protagonist, a former doctor and a divorcee, starts as a total loser who fails to even commit a suicide. But then he transforms into a decisive, brave, and selfless man who wants to serve a bigger purpose.
‘Shepherd’has become the most memorable series overall in Russia. The story of a former police detective and his dog who now investigate crimes as an independent team, has proven to be super popular among all audiences. The combination of situational humour, mystery, and suspension entangled with characters’ personal perils is relatable, fun to watch, and highly entertaining. The show has been a smashing hit during all 5 seasons, with viewing share reaching 20.5% and TVR 5.5.
Next on the list is ‘Nevsky’ — another great crime drama focusing on a police detective who tirelessly fights corruption and catches bad guys. But he is not your average muscled man that combats injustice by punching and shooting. He has strong ethics and a very solid set of core values that audience appreciate and can relate to. His strength and his secrets mixed with action, personal dramas, and mysteries create an original, fascinating series that crush ratings 4 seasons in a row. In 2020, S4 final episode scored 17.1% viewing share and 5.2 TVR — great achievement for a seasoned show, don’t you think?
Let’s step away from tried and true
First would be ‘Savage’- an incredibly powerful historical investigative drama about a former Nazi collaborator masquerading as a model citizen in the 1970s USSR. Based on a true story, this is a chilling tale of murders, mysteries, and war crimes. Aired on June 22, the anniversary of Great Patriotic War in Russia, the series immediately jumped to be the top premiere and kept the viewers guessing until the very end. The skillfully recreated ambience of the war era, brilliant acting, and the plot twists made ‘Savage’ simply outstanding. You’ve got to see it to believe it.
Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the WWII ending in Russia, NTV aired one of the most amazing and deeply touching short series ‘The Hero of All Time’. In the center of this drama is the oldest Soviet soldier, Nikolai Morozov, who went through toughest Russian prisons before the October Revolution and then pushed to be drafted at the age of 82. Based on a real character, the series is fascinating and engaging, showing viewers a totally different side of the WWII in Russia.
To move away from war dramas, let’s talk about NTV’s mixed genre top hits of 2020.
‘Sunshine Investigations’ is #1 on this list, a perfect blend of beach scenery, motorcycle racing, and humorous situations. This crimedy stars the same popular actor as in ‘Shepherd’ and he adds a great depth to his character, even in the most comic situations. It’s light, sunny, and funny. Click the picture to see the trailer.
‘Dr.Driver’ is next in line. This medical drama has captured viewers’ hearts for 3 seasons now, making it the consistent winner in ratings battles. In 2020 it was 18.4% viewing share during the premiere. The series is the perfect blend of melodrama, dramatic
The list of mixed genre gems wouldn’t be complete without ‘Reluctant Hero’. The series’ basic premises is a brilliant idea — take a loser, give him a deadly tumor, and then make him into a hero. One catch though — he must risk his life to save others in order to have his tumor shrunk. Now would you choose to look the death in the eyes with a slim hope you’d get better? The protagonist, a former doctor and a divorcee, starts as a total loser who fails to even commit a suicide. But then he transforms into a decisive, brave, and selfless man who wants to serve a bigger purpose.
