Latvian officials have granted a broadcasting license to Russian TV channel Dozhd, regional news platform DELFI reported Monday. 

Dozhd is expected to shortly resume operations from the Latvian capital of Riga.

Latvia’s National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) also announced a broadcasting ban on the 80 Russian TV channels that remained available in the country. The list of blacklisted broadcasters includes channels such as Fishing and Hunting, Cinema 24, and Mir 24. 

NEPLP previously banned Russia’s leading state-sponsored TV channels, including RTR Rossiya and Rossiya 24, on Feb. 24 in response to the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Background:

Dozhd TV (Russian: Дождь, IPA: [ˈdoʂtʲ] (listen), lit. 'Rain TV'; stylized as До///дь), also known as TV Rain, is an independent Russian television channel founded in 2010. It focuses on news, discussions, culture, politics, business reports, and documentaries.

Most Dozhd shows are live broadcasts. The channel's motto is "Talk about important things with those who are important to us". It is owned by journalist Natalya Sindeyeva.

In March 2022, the Russian government blocked access to Dozhd TV in response to its coverage of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The channel closed, with its general director announcing they would be "Temporarily halting its operations".

In June, Latvian regulators issued a broadcasting license for Dozhd TV with the channel expected to resume operations from Riga.

Dozhd TV is an independent Russian television channel founded in 2010 by two women, Natalya Sindeyeva, media entrepreneur and owner, and Vera Krichevskaya, a TV director.

It has focused on news, discussions, culture, politics, business reports, and documentaries. Most Dozhd TV shows to date have been live broadcasts.