He can be safely called a reformer of domestic television of the 90s era. It was with his participation that it acquired a fundamentally new format. However, this person has established himself as a professional journalist, and as an experienced producer, and as a talented TV presenter. Who is it? Naturally, Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov. Almost every viewer knows him. He created the unique VID television channel, the “look” revolutionary program for the 90s, in which topical and burning topics for all were raised. Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov could become a brilliant diplomat, but his choice fell on television and he was right with him. What turned out to be the professional path of the innovator of domestic TV, and what he achieved in his career? Let's consider this question in more detail.
Years of childhood and youth
Alexander Lyubimov (date of birth: June 23, 1962) was born in the British capital. His father, Mikhail Petrovich, served in foreign intelligence, then went into writing, and his mother, Ekaterina Pavlovna Vishnevskaya, worked as a lyceum in the Moscow Theater. Gogol. Alexander Lyubimov, whose family broke up when he was six years old, as a teenager, had very diverse interests. He gravitated both to the exact sciences (mathematics) and to the humanities (political science). Also, the young man was fond of sports and enjoyed listening to hard rock. At the age of 14, he moved to a communal apartment and very early understood the price of money, since he himself began to earn it.
At the same time, answering the questions of the host of the popular talk show “Alone with Everyone”, Alexander Lyubimov emphasized that he was indifferent to wealth and money was never an end in itself for him. One way or another, but the career of a diplomat could bring him recognition and financial well-being.
Failed diplomat
Having received a certificate of maturity, Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov successfully passed the entrance exams at MGIMO, choosing the faculty of international economic relations. The young man was able to master several foreign languages. At the same time, in his student years, he periodically earns money to have pocket money.
The young man will receive a diploma of graduation from a prestigious university in the capital in 1984. Alexander Lyubimov, whose biography, no doubt, is not without interesting and noteworthy facts, was invited for employment to the trade mission of the USSR, located in Denmark. It would seem an ideal start for a diplomat career. But the young man refused this "tempting" offer. He was much more attracted to the position in the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting for the Broadcasting (Radio Moscow in Danish). And he ended up in this institution, where he worked in the period from 1985 to 1987.
"Sight"
Participating already in the modern program of Yulia Menshova “Alone with everyone”, Alexander Lyubimov said that he did not expect at all that he could make a career on television, because, as a young man, he did not quite fit into the framework of the existing system.
In 1987, with the approval of Soviet officials, the youth editorial office of the Central Television launched the odious project for the era of perestroika - the television program “Vzglyad”. Many people worked on its creation, but the idea itself belonged to Anatoly Grigoryevich Lysenko, who was an assistant to the editorial board of youth programs at the Central Television. The first release of the program took place on October 2, 1987. The popularity rating of Vzglyad grew "leaps and bounds." Still, the program not only touches on sharp and sore topics that were discussed live, but also shows music videos of famous representatives of the Soviet stage. Leading the "innovative" product on TV were awarded the honor of Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov, Vladislav Nikolaevich Listyev, Dmitry Veniaminovich Zakharov, Oleg Yuryevich Vakulovsky. All of them worked in the Broadcast. Then the journalist Alexander Vladimirovich Politkovsky joined the team.
We can say that Eduard Sagalaev (editor-in-chief of the youth editorial office of the Central Television) issued a lucky ticket to these people, among whom was Alexander Lyubimov. How many years have passed since the first broadcast of Sight? Almost thirty already. For the Soviet audience, this project was a real exclusive. However, according to a MGIMO graduate, the presenters received a small salary. In order to somehow make ends meet they had to tour the regions with creative evenings.
At the end of the 80s, the leading team was suspended from participation in Vzglyad. The reason for this was the criticism of one of the communists, as set out in the newspaper "Soviet Russia". Its essence boiled down to "debunking" the successes of perestroika. But after a while, the former presenters were able to return to their duties in the program “Sight”.
Executive position
In the early 90's, Anatoly Lysenko was offered to head the RTR television channel, and he agrees. The head of the television project “Sight” is appointed by Alexander Lyubimov. How old was he at that time?
Only twenty eight. But the young man felt the strength in himself to cope with those set before them. At the end of 1990, the structure of Vzglyad was reorganized. As a result, VID Television Company CJSC emerged, combining the two VID and Sight and Others projects. Thus was born the first commercial association that became the appendage of Ostankino. But the very fact of "commercialization" then led the leadership of the DH to indignation.
Project close
Soon, the program “Glance” suddenly disappears from the blue screens. The thing is that its employees wanted to show the whole country the protest resignation of the head of the Union Foreign Ministry Eduard Shevarnadze, who did not like the new political course. However, the leadership of Ostankino did not allow such a move and the “Vzdmolovtsy” were forced to boycott. The closure of the popular project causes a deep public outcry. The people wanted to continue to watch The Look.
"From the underground"
Alexander Politkovsky and Alexander Lyubimov, whose biography is of interest to a huge number of people, file a lawsuit against the head of Ostankino Leonid Kravchenko. They continue to shoot stories for Vzglyad, but already outside the framework of the federal channel. Soon on the regional television channels, a continuation of the favorite program appears, which is already called “A View from the Underground”. The new project is initially funded by VID, and then the allocation goes through the newly created structure of A Look from the Underground. But the company was soon liquidated, since the process of filming and replication was open and legal.
Political career
In the early 90's, Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov (journalist) decided to try his hand at politics and ran for the People's Deputies of the RSFSR.
Good luck accompanies him, and he passes to the legislature from the Tambov region. The TV presenter is a member of the Council of Nationalities of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR. Soon, he initiates the establishment of the “Change - New Politics” faction.
When a coup broke out in the country, Alexander Lyubimov, Vladislav Listyev and Alexander Politkovsky immediately began to cover the events unfolding at the White House.
At the end of 1991, the final release of the program “Sight” was formally held. As a "servant of the people," the journalist lasted until the fall of 1993, after which the state structures of the Supreme Council and the Congress of People's Deputies were abolished.
Work at Ostankino
In 1992, Alexander Lyubimov (Vzglyad) worked as the head of the Ostankino Studio for International Programs and Video Exchange.
In the autumn of the following year, shortly before the storming of the television center, the Red Square television project was being shut down, and a MGIMO graduate “transferring the reins” to VID Vladislav Listyev, retaining the position of vice president and the right to be a member of the Board of Directors.
New project
In 1994, there was a revival of the once popular program “Sight”. After some time, Alexander Lyubimov (VID) launches a new project called "One on One". It is a "political show" in which opponents defend their point of view, entering into sometimes heated debate. The popularity rating of the new program rapidly began to gain momentum in 1995 during an election campaign in the lower house of parliament of the second convocation. Many then remembered the incident that occurred in the studio during the outbreak of a dispute between Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Boris Nemtsov.
In the spring of 1995, Vladislav Listyev was killed, and Lyubimov had to again head the VID television company.
Campaign Preparation
After some time, Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov (journalist, nationality - Russian) decides to become a member of the election campaign of Boris Yeltsin. To do this, he goes to Harvard University (USA) and learns a training course on the program: "Election Campaign Manager and Political Consultant."
After that, he really organizes work in the election headquarters of Yeltsin, who in 1996 became the Russian president in the second round.
ORT
Soon, Alexander Mikhailovich resigned from the post of general director of the VID television company, which began to specialize in "entertainment" shows ("Guess the melody", "Field of Miracles", etc.). After that, Lyubimov became an employee at CJSC Public Russian Television (ORT), having received the position of consultant to the general producer of information programs Ksenia Ponomareva. The next step in his career is becoming a position to fulfill. Director of Public Broadcasting ORT. Since the fall of 1997, Alexander Lyubimov (TV presenter) has already been appointed head of the Information Programs Directorate and has become the manager of the Vremya program. He stayed in these qualities until the spring of 1998, and then returned to VID in the status of head of the Board of Directors of this structure.
In 1998, a graduate of MGIMO launches the next project “Here and Now”. This is an authoring program that goes on ORT every day except weekends. It existed until 2001.
And again participation in the election campaign
In the late 90s, Alexander Mikhailovich Lyubimov (journalist) again showed interest in the Duma elections of the next convocation by organizing an advertisement for the candidate from the Unity bloc, Alexei Golovkov. He invited the TV to his election headquarters. And the work of Alexander Mikhailovich was successful: Unity won the second place, and after some time, having consolidated with the POO Fatherland-All Russia, it replenished the ranks of the ruling United Russia party.
Freedom of Speech Support
At the beginning of the zero, Lyubimov became the head of the new non-profit structure “Media Union”. The purpose of this organization is to protect freedom of speech in the Russian Federation. However, domestic "pen sharks" will soon write that between the Union of Journalists and the brainchild of Alexander Mikhailovich, for some reason, close interaction was not established. In the spring of 2002, the presenter will become one of the leaders of the Council of the media industry associations. At the same time, Lyubimov is acting as assistant to the general director of ORT Konstantin Ernst.
Production work
In the fall of 2001, the head of VIDA began to show interest in producing. A new reality show “The Last Hero” starts on ORT and Alexander Mikhailovich tries his hand at a new field for himself. In 2003, he, along with his colleague Sergey Kushneryov, won the prestigious TEFI television award for his mastery in producing the second season of The Last Hero. Then the TV presenter invests financial assets in the animated series "Funny Bears", the movie series "Blind - 2", "And the Dawns Here Are Quiet", "Barvikha".
In 2006, Lyubimov studied in detail the process of producing 3D animation in one of the specialized educational institutions in Los Angeles. Five years later, in the women's colony of Perm, he initiated the creation of a cartoon factory of 3D animation and computer graphics. In such a non-standard way, he wanted to help women “stumbled” in life to master a new profession and become useful in society.
In 2007, the television presenter on a parity basis with businessman Alexander Mamut establishes the film company Mirumir, which specializes in the production of films that combine elements of commerce and an art house. As a result, the tape “Europe - Asia” appeared (dir. I. Dykhovichny). Then preparations began for the shooting of the "Big Top Show", but work on it was discontinued due to lack of money.
Shooting of the film “Red Cow” of Russian-American production was also initiated.
VGTRK
In 2007, Alexander Mikhailovich was invited to work in the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) and offered him to broadcast the Senate. Lyubimov agreed, and at the end of the year he “rose to the rank” of the first deputy general director of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. The TV presenter was in charge of the marketing areas of the Rossiya TV channel.
After some time, Alexander Mikhailovich acted as a producer of the television project “Name of Russia”, in which the viewer was given the opportunity to identify the legendary figure in Russian history, which would be the personification of the whole Fatherland. Victory was then awarded to the great warrior and commander Alexander Nevsky.
In autumn 2008, the ex-manager of the program “Vzglyad” resigns from his presidency in the Media Union, leaving the right to be on the board of the company.
Once again, politics
In 2011, the media reported that Lyubimov became a member of the Just Cause political party, which was then headed by businessman Prokhorov. Friendly relations were established between Alexander Mikhailovich and Mikhail Dmitrievich in the early 90s. Having gone headlong into the "party" work, Lyubimov terminates the contract with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.
But in the fall of 2011, a split occurred in the party of Prokhorov, as a result of which Mikhail Dmitrievich lost his membership in the Just Cause. Alexander Mikhailovich followed his example, who considered it necessary to turn to the then head of state, Dmitry Medvedev, so that he would moderate the ardor of an employee of his administration, Vladislav Surkov, who caused a split in the party.
Soon there was information that Lyubimov could “become at the helm” of the RBC TV channel, owned by his former party member Mikhail Prokhorov. A few days later it was confirmed, and Alexander Mikhailovich took the post of general director of RBC TV.
Awards and Regalia
During the long career of the “TV man” Lyubimov received by no means one prestigious award and an honorary regalia. He owns the Order of Honor, the Order of Friendship. Alexander Mikhailovich is proud of TEFI, he also won the Telegrand 2005 Prize for his significant contribution to the development of journalism. For many years, the former head of VID has been a member of the Academy of Russian Television Foundation.
He perfectly understands and speaks English, Danish and French. At leisure, Alexander Mikhailovich prefers to go fishing, read his favorite book or watch a theatrical production.
He also does not mind watching hockey and windsurfing.
A family
It should be noted that Alexander Lyubimov, whose personal life today is the best, loves his other half. He does not like to discuss issues that concern his family. Of course, many public people adhere to this life position, including Alexander Lyubimov. The wife of the TV host’s number 1 is his work colleague Oksana Pushkin. Their acquaintance took place within the walls of Ostankino, namely in the buffet, where a graduate of MGIMO defended the line for cakes. Oksana and Alexander immediately felt sympathy for each other and decided to continue pleasant communication on the same day, but in a private setting. And already seven days after the meeting, the TV presenter made an offer to Oksana, and he was not at all embarrassed that his chosen one was already nursing a child in her arms. However, the family idyll lasted only two years. According to rumors, the reason for their divorce was quite commonplace. Once Oksana and Alexander were invited to friends at a party. Pushkin arrived at the event a little earlier than his husband. Lyubimov was several hours late, and he had with him a bottle of alcohol from his home bar. Oksana asked her husband about whether he took off his shoes before approaching the “alcohol storage”. Alexander’s response discouraged her: “Why? This is my apartment and I do everything I want in it. " After such words, Pushkina no longer wanted to live with a famous TV presenter.
These are the ups and downs, perhaps Alexander Lyubimov once experienced in his personal life. Wife No. 2 is an expert and expert in Japanese language and Japanese culture. This is Natalya Kunikova. In a marriage with a famous TV presenter, she gave birth to three sons. The children of Alexander Lyubimov chose creative professions: the sons were seriously interested in filmmaking. But the eldest daughter Catherine chose an acting path. One way or another, but the children of Alexander Lyubimov do not want to enjoy the protection of their father and want to achieve high career results only by their own efforts.