Apple TV+ to Offer Russian-Language Content Through New First-Look Deal

Russian-language shows are likely headed to Apple TV+, as Variety reports that Apple has signed a first-look deal with AR Content, a production company led by Ukranian and Russian producer and director Alexander Rodnyansky.

loveless 2017 film

A scene from Russian film "Loveless" produced by Alexander Rodnyansky

The deal will reportedly provide Apple with an opportunity to secure Russian-language and multilingual shows for Apple TV+, set both inside and outside Russia, with both Russian and international writers and directors.

"Apple is extremely interested to explore the possibilities in that part of the world," said Rodnyansky, who received Academy Award nominations for the 2014 film "Leviathan" and 2017 film "Loveless." "It's going to be the very first of all the global streaming platforms to sign a strategic partnership with a company with Russian roots."

Apple TV+ is gradually expanding its non-English content. Israeli spy thriller series "Tehran" has primarily Hebrew dialogue, and last month, Apple greenlit contemporary thriller "Liaison" as its first French-language series.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

Monday December 29, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
apple intelligence black

Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026

Tuesday December 30, 2025 9:01 am PST by
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data...
apple fitness 2026 1

Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+

Tuesday December 30, 2025 2:11 pm PST by
The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+. What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year? Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+ The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here 2026 Plans Still Under ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Users Report Static Speaker Noise While Charging

Tuesday December 30, 2025 10:39 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max owners are having trouble with the speakers of their devices, and have complained about a static or hissing noise that occurs when the iPhone is charging. There are multiple discussions about the issue on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and Apple's Support Community, where affected users say there is a noticeable static noise "like an old radio." Some people report...

Top Rated Comments

LeadingHeat Avatar
58 months ago
As long as it’s top tier production quality, I’m all in for this! I loved Tehran and welcome more international series and films.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I@beck Avatar
58 months ago
I am glad to see that Apple is going multilingual/series. Good Jobs Apple. ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
58 months ago

While good move for their business with getting more regional conent in local languages available, I hope that theres going to be some quality stuff, which Russian and Ukraine content has never brimmed with, same cheap police series, soap operas of low quality like the ones from Mexico, basically low budget low quality series and movies.
When they do get some more money they just make some horrible cliche stuff copied from Hollywood without the production and performance quality of Hollywood and with plot being so horribly cheesy together with horrendous acting.

Heres hope that Im going to be wrong and they(Apple) will push for more original, world class quality content, because, IMHO, its always interesting to see good quality arts coming from different parts of the world, different cultures with different views on the world were living.

why don't you watch "loveless" first and then share your insights.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agrailag Avatar
58 months ago

While good move for their business with getting more regional conent in local languages available, I hope that theres going to be some quality stuff, which Russian and Ukraine content has never brimmed with, same cheap police series, soap operas of low quality like the ones from Mexico, basically low budget low quality series and movies.
When they do get some more money they just make some horrible cliche stuff copied from Hollywood without the production and performance quality of Hollywood and with plot being so horribly cheesy together with horrendous acting.

Heres hope that Im going to be wrong and they(Apple) will push for more original, world class quality content, because, IMHO, its always interesting to see good quality arts coming from different parts of the world, different cultures with different views on the world were living.

As russian i should say, that we have enough good quality stuff, but most are art-films.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimbobb24 Avatar
58 months ago
I welcome more Russian content. Netflix has some great stuff and for awhile I was only watching Russian shows. “Better than Us” I thought was more interesting than Ex Machina.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VaruLV Avatar
58 months ago

Implying American tv is brimming with quality lmao

careful with that last comment the jannies here don’t take to kindly to reasonable thought

tbh I hope they bring us season 3 of silver spoon. Netflix really dropped the ball on that one.
Haha, lol, no, I dont think that all western content is quality, but you got the picture I think :D !
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)