Patarkatsishvili died in February 2009. His family inherited the channel but struggled to maintain its oppositional edge. In 2012, Georgian Dream, a political coalition led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, won the parliamentary election, ending UNM’s rule. Shortly thereafter, ownership of Imedi TV changed hands: first to Georgian businessman Roin Gvetadze, and then in 2015 to the “Imedi Media Holding,” whose ultimate beneficiary links back to individuals with close ties to the Georgian Dream government (Transparency International Georgia, 2017).
Shaping views on domestic politics and Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration goals. imedi tv
: Imedi TV remains one of the most-watched and trusted media outlets in Georgia, holding roughly 18% of public trust in a landscape where nearly half the population trusts no TV channel at all. Patarkatsishvili died in February 2009
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The historical turning point for the network occurred in . Amid massive anti-government protests in Tbilisi, Georgian special forces raided Imedi TV’s studios, cutting off its broadcast and damaging technical infrastructure. The government alleged that Patarkatsishvili was using the channel to organize a coup d'état. Following the raid, ownership of the station was heavily contested and transferred through various hands close to the administration, severely weakening its reputation for independence.
The station continues to spark international debate, navigate dramatic ownership transitions, and shape public opinion through its dominant news and entertainment programming. The Evolution of Ownership and the 2026 Shift
As of 2025, Imedi TV is investing heavily in (for English and Russian translations) and 4K studio upgrades . The goal is to become the "CNN of the Caucasus." They are also experimenting with podcasts, repurposing their radio shows into Spotify-exclusive audio logs.