After the removal of the main YouTube channel of Belarusian state television broadcaster STV (@ctvby), which had 2.4 million subscribers, a backup channel called “CTV Plus” (@ctvplus) suddenly became active. More than 100 videos have already been published there, and the channel has attracted 2,600 subscribers. Most of the content consists of archived news bulletins and programmes. Notably, the “author’s” programme by Raman Pratasevich, Bez Prykrytsya, is not available on the channel.
The new channel was created on February 6, 2026. It is evidently not a reaction to yesterday’s removal of the main channel. It may also suggest that STV representatives were aware of the possibility of deletion due to strikes and took precautionary measures.
YouTube administration can remove a channel in the event of repeated violations of its rules. In most cases, a channel must receive at least three strikes within 90 days. In a recent programme by Protasevich посвященной the Belarusian Investigative Center and its founder Stanislau Ivashkevich, the authors published personal data, an address and also called for physical violence. That alone is sufficient grounds for removal from the platform. Ivashkevich filed a complaint with YouTube administration.
As a result, the channels of STV, ONT and BelTA were removed. At the same time, the channels of Belteleradiocompany, which is under sanctions, continue to operate.
The Information Ministry of Belarus said it reserved the right to take retaliatory measures. Belteleradiocompany warned that YouTube could be designated as extremist and fully blocked in Belarus.
It also became known yesterday that the KGB had designated the Belarusian Investigative Center as an “extremist formation”.
