The pro-government television company Imedi has acquired a new co-owner: TV host and journalist Magda Anikashvili. She now holds a 25% stake in Georgian Media Production Group, the entity that owns the television channel.
According to Georgia’s Public Registry, Anikashvili acquired the stake following a redistribution of the company’s shares. Previously, a 10% share was held by Natia Songulashvili, who relinquished her portion entirely.
Prime Media Global and Vasil Kalandarishvili have also completely exited the co-ownership.
Prime Media Global is owned by businessman Ilia Mikelashvili. As noted by the opposition TV channel TV Pirveli, he has certain ties to the former head of Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG), Mamuka Mdinaradze.
Shares in Georgian Media Production Group are now divided equally among four co-owners: Maka Lomidze, Irakli Chikhladze, Maia Chigogashvili, and Magda Anikashvili each hold 25% of the company.
According to registry filings, the transactions were completed at nominal prices: Natia Songulashvili and Vasil Kalandarishvili transferred their 10% stakes in the country’s highest-rated television channel for 100 GEL (approximately $38) each, while Prime Media Global sold its 50% stake for 500 GEL (less than $200).
Notably, a stake in another pro-government channel, POSTV, was sold by Member of Parliament Viktor Japaridze. He transferred a 52% controlling interest to Giorgi Shengelia for 100 GEL.
Imedi is a pro-government television broadcaster previously owned by businessman Irakli Rukhadze. In February 2026, he announced the sale of the channel to Media Production Group for a symbolic sum of 1,000 GEL. Immediately afterward, on February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Imedi and POSTV, accusing them of deliberately disseminating misleading information regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.