Programme Two

Programme Two (Russian: Вторая программа ЦТ) was one of the channels of Soviet Central Television between 1956 and 1991. Its programmes was mostly entertainment, cultural, news and sport programming. It was also known as the All-Union Program due to its national reach across the Soviet Union and the fact that even programs of all forms from the various Union republics were also broadcast here. It is now known as Russia-1.

Background
Programme Two began services in 1956 for Moscow and surrounding regions. It became a nationwide network in 1982, while Moscow-centric programmes were moved to Programme Three. It broadcast centralized entertainment produced in Moscow and the various Soviet republics via the republican television stations.

History
The channel launched its broadcasts on 14 February 1956 as «Вторая (московская) программа ЦСТ» (Second (Moscow) Programme of the Central Television Studio). From 17 May 1957, the name became simply «Вторая программа ЦТ» (CT Second Programme/Programme Two).

RTV started broadcasting in blocks on 13 May 1991 at 5pm, timesharing with Programme Two.