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Key Facts

  • Kinopoisk was launched in 2003 as an internet publication about cinema.
  • Until October 2013, the site was 60% owned by LLC Kinopoisk and 40% by Allocine.
  • The service was acquired by Yandex in 2013.
  • In 2018, the platform introduced a paid streaming model with the 'Online' section.
  • In 2024, revenue reached 47.2 billion rubles, a 1.5x increase year-over-year.
  • Monthly audience reached 15 million Yandex Plus subscribers, up 35% year-over-year.

Quick Summary

Kinopoisk has undergone a significant transformation since its inception, evolving from a niche cinema blog into a dominant streaming platform. The service's journey highlights the consolidation of the Russian digital media market under major tech conglomerates.

Key developments include the platform's acquisition by Yandex, the introduction of a paid streaming model, and substantial financial growth in recent years. By 2024, the service had established itself as a major player in the entertainment sector, reporting billions in revenue and a rapidly expanding subscriber base.

Founding and Early Ownership Structure

Kinopoisk was initially launched in 2003 as an internet publication focused on cinematography. It was founded by Vitaliy Tatsiy and Dmitriy Sukhanov, who established the platform to provide comprehensive information about films to Russian-speaking audiences.

Until October 2013, the ownership of the website kinopoisk.ru was divided between two entities. 60% of the shares were held by LLC Kinopoisk, the company founded by Tatsiy and Sukhanov. The remaining 40% of the shares were owned by the French company Allocine, described as 'All about cinema'.

Acquisition by Yandex

In 2013, the landscape of the company changed drastically when Yandex acquired the service. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment for Kinopoisk, integrating it into a larger ecosystem of digital services.

The move allowed Kinopoisk to leverage Yandex's extensive resources and technological infrastructure. This transition paved the way for the platform's expansion beyond a simple database of movie reviews into a full-fledged entertainment service.

Shift to Streaming and Monetization

The platform took a decisive step toward monetization in 2018. During this year, Kinopoisk began showing films through a paid model, fundamentally changing its business strategy.

This shift was implemented by introducing a dedicated section called 'Online' on the web version of the site. This move transitioned the service from an informational resource to a direct competitor in the video-on-demand market.

Financial Performance and Audience Growth 📈

The financial results for the year 2024 demonstrated the success of the streaming strategy. The online cinema reported revenue totaling 47.2 billion rubles.

This figure represented a significant increase, being one and a half times higher than the revenue generated in the preceding year. The growth indicates a strong demand for the platform's content offerings and subscription model.

Regarding audience metrics, the service saw substantial growth in its subscriber base:

  • 15 million subscribers.
  • This number specifically refers to users of Yandex Plus.
  • There was a 35% increase compared to the previous year's figures.