Today CTC is a leading entertainment network in Russia. Focusing on entertainment, CTC broadcasts a mix between Russian productions and international programming of interest to its target audience; viewers aged 6–54, with a particularly strong appeal to younger audiences.
On 14 January 2002 MTG announced it was to acquire 36.3% of StoryFirst Communications Inc., a private US corporation and owner of CTC, the third largest commercial TV broadcasting network in Russia. Currently, MTG owns 38.1% of CTC Media, Inc. (formerly StoryFirst Communications Inc.) and is the largest shareholder.
Since 1 June 2006 CTC Media is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol CTCM.
CTC was launched in December 1996.
The CTC Network currently has about 350 affiliates, including 21 owned-and-operated stations.
In December 2009 CTC was also launched for the Russian speaking population of the United States. Initially the channel became available through the DISH Network, the third largest pay-TV provider in the US. The international version of CTC comprises of the best programmes from CTC (80%), Domashny and PERETZ. It was expanded to Israel in June 2010 and to Germany in March 2011.