Belarus 3 () is a state-owned television channel in Belarus.
Created by Belteleradio in 2013, it is a cultural channel, broadcasting in both Russian and Belarusian languages.
History With the growing Russification of Belarus, more Belarusian-language programming gradually moved from the First Channel to its second network Lad, which, at launch in 2003, provided a limited amount of Belarusian programming.
Belarus-3 was announced by BTRC in February 2012; the initial goal was to test the channel in March.Третья кнопка, SB.by, 24 February 2012, retrieved 7 August 2026
The channel started broadcasting on 7:50a.m. on 8 February 2013 airing the ATN (Agency for Televisio News, a BTRC unit) documentary Horackija pacechi from the Zjamlja belaruskaja cycle. Most programs were cultural in nature; Kalyhanka, formerly of Belarus-1, moved to this channel as a result of its launch and expanded from five nights a week to seven. As of 2018, Belarusian-language programming accounted for 32% of the weekly total, an average of over five hours a day.Телеканалу "Беларусь 3" исполняется 5 лет. Телеканал перейдет на HD-формат, TVNews.by, 8 February 2018, retrieved 7 August 2026
What set Belarus-3 apart from the other BTRC channels was the fact that it became the first digital-only channel to be launched by the corporation. At the time of launching, 96% of Belarusians were within the reach of the digital terrestrial platform (moreover, Belarus was in a transitional phase to digital).Телеканал "Беларусь 3" будет вещать исключительно "в цифре", SB.by, 1 February 2013, retrieved 7 August 2026 In 2017, the channel adopted a new graphics package and, in early 2018, in a special program for its fifth anniversary, announced that it would start broadcasting in HD soon.
In September 2020, an episode of Kalyhanka featured a story about a bear (Top) who deposed a fox (Yana) from the throne. Local bloggers considered it to be a satire of how Alexander Lukashenko got into power.Беларусь: пятидесятый день мирных протестов против узурпатора, Svaboda, 27 September 2020, retrieved 7 August 2026
As of January 2023, nearly 850,000 viewers watched the channel daily.Телеканалу "Беларусь 3" исполняется 10 лет, TVNews.by, 6 February 2023, retrieved 7 August 2026
Programming The channel specialises in programmes about Belarusian culture, music, and folk traditions. Many of its programmes are devoted to the Great Patriotic War.
Dabraranak (бел. Дабраранак) - an entertaining and educational morning show for preschoolers and younger schoolchildren. Bielaruskaja kuchnia (eng. Belarusian cuisine) (бел. Беларуская кухня) - cooking show. Naviny kultury (eng. Cultural News) (бел. Навіны культуры) - daily cultural news. Kalychanka (eng. Lullaby) (бел. Калыханка) - evening children's show.
References