The first channel will not show the show with Kabaeva due to sanctions

As Forbes learned, the reason for this decision by the BBC Worldwide division is the fact that 60% of Red Square belongs to Arkady Rotenberg, and 25% of Channel One belongs to Yuri Kovalchuk. Both Russian businessmen are on EU sanctions lists.

According to the idea of ​​the producers of "Red Square", the leading Russian version of the show, in which celebrities try their hand at rhythmic gymnastics, was supposed to be the Olympic champion in gymnastics Alina Kabaeva. The jury of the show was to include Irina Wiener-Usmanova, the head coach of the Russian national gymnastics team, and Kabaeva, the trainer, and Alisher Usmanov, the spouse of one of Russia's richest businessmen.

Because of the refusal of the British side, these plans were thwarted, and the proposal by Kabayeva was not sent, the Forbes source said. A spokesman for Channel One refused to say anything until the program appeared on the grid, and the British Broadcasting Corporation only said that they “cooperate with Russian media companies and strictly adhere to the implementation of the laws of the United States and the European Union regarding sanctions.”

As Forbes told the chairman of the board of directors of VaT Media, Timur Weinstein, Channel One found a way out of the sanctions situation. It was decided to leave the format of the pro gymnastics show, which the BBC adheres to, and expand it. The new program will be called "Without insurance", and its participants will perform various elements of gymnastics and acrobatic stunts.