Kyrgyzstan Online Media Landscape: Top News Sites, Traffic & Ad Insights

Kyrgyzstan is a small yet digitally engaged country, where the Internet has long become the primary channel for consuming information. As of 2025, over 88% of the population is connected to the internet — that's 6.41 million out of a total population of 7.24 million. Nearly everyone living in urban areas has access to the web. In more remote regions, coverage is slightly lower, but mobile internet helps bridge the gap caused by limited infrastructure.

Media outlets operate within an ecosystem where mobile traffic is dominant. There are 11.5 million SIM cards registered in the country — that's 59% more than the population itself. Phones are no longer just communication tools; they’re the gateway to news, social platforms, and daily services. It’s through these devices that users read, watch, and engage in discussions.

Around 3.3 million people — nearly half the population — actively use social media. For most, these platforms serve as a newsfeed, a TV channel, a radio station, and a local paper all at once. This shapes user behavior and redefines the role of online media: they no longer set the agenda but compete for attention within an increasingly crowded feed.

Against this backdrop, traditional media outlets that have transitioned to digital, both literally and strategically, have started playing by a new set of rules.

How Media Is Consumed in Kyrgyzstan and What Happened to the Press

In Kyrgyzstan, digital platforms have fully taken over as the primary channels for media consumption. Most people no longer get their news from newspapers or the radio. Instead, they turn to social networks, messengers, and video platforms. Online has become the default environment, especially for younger audiences: 68% use social media to follow politics, and that number rises to 78% among those aged 18 to 35.

Only a few still read newspaper articles, and almost no one reads magazines. Social networks and messaging apps have pushed traditional media out of the spotlight. WhatsApp has evolved beyond a communication tool to become a major news channel — 79% of internet users get their information there. Instagram is used by 68%, Facebook by 45%. Telegram and Viber are also widely used, though precise stats are unavailable.

The flow of information is now decentralized. People don’t read on websites — they scroll through feeds, chats, and reposts. Often, the news comes through a friend or family member — 28% of respondents say their inner circle is their main source of information.

Media on the Move: Video, Social Platforms, and the Shift Away from Print

Instagram is the most widely used platform in the country, with 35% of the population on it. Facebook comes next at 31%, followed by YouTube at 7%, and TikTok, which already reaches 38% of the youth audience. YouTube is seen as background TV — used for music, series, and content creators. TikTok is emerging as the leader in short-form content: reaction clips, quick takes, and bite-sized news are becoming integral to how people consume current events.

With the rise of social platforms, only 18% of users in Kyrgyzstan still read official online media. Among the most recognized outlets are 'Azattyk', Kaktus.media, Super.kg, and AKIpress. However, much of the audience's attention now drifts beyond the country’s borders, toward Russian websites, Kazakhstani TV, and global platforms.

Print media is losing ground not only due to changing habits but also for economic reasons. Paper costs are rising, advertisers are shifting to digital, and readers are moving to messengers. Newspapers and magazines are shutting down or switching to hybrid formats, combining offline and online. Regional outlets are hit the hardest as many are hanging on by a thread, with scarce resources.

At the same time, video content is gaining traction. The audience size has nearly plateaued, growing just 1.6% over the year, but the way people consume media is evolving: they now favor short videos, stories, and livestreams. Publishers are investing more in YouTube and TikTok — that's where user attention is headed.

Despite the overwhelming volume of information, trust in media remains strong. Over 90% of Instagram and Facebook users say they trust at least some of the news in their feeds. On WhatsApp, the figure is slightly lower at around 83%, but still significant. People are becoming more selective with sources, avoiding clickbait and leaning toward familiar editorial voices and reputable brands.

Kyrgyzstan’s Online Media: Who Sets the Tone

Today, the news agenda is shaped in digital spaces, with leading online editorial teams effectively taking the place of traditional media. Below are the key players operating online, each with its own audience, language preferences, and content approach.

Kyrgyzstan online media rating

Key Kyrgyz media outlets: audience & topics

Media	Monthly Website Visits	Language	Topics	Key Features
Kaktus.media	4 million	Russian	Society, Culture	Fast news, widely shared on social media
24.kg	2.8 million	Russian	News, Politics	Major news source with a strong reputation
Akipress	2.6 million	Russian	News, Politics, Economy	The country’s independent news agency
Vecherniy Bishkek	312.5 thousand	Russian	News, Opinions	Evolved from a print newspaper to digital media
Super.kg	23.6 thousand	Kyrgyz	Entertainment, Pop Culture	Leading outlet in the southern regions

Kaktus.media

One of the most widely read Russian-language news portals in Kyrgyzstan, Kaktus.media attracts around 4 million visits per month. Its focus is on everyday news, from incidents and city updates to cultural events, social stories, and oddities. The site operates at speed, hooks readers with catchy headlines, and spreads quickly through messaging apps. It’s a classic example of a 'fast news' format built around the habit of scrolling, clicking, and sharing.

On their website, available ad options include banner placements in the header and sidebar, embedded promo videos within news articles, branded content sections, and the publication of PR materials, both under the 'Company News' block and in native editorial style. For example, a Beeline PR article features a KFC video embedded right under the headline.

On social platforms, Kaktus.media offers a variety of ad formats: posts with Stories or Reels, multi-post series, standalone Stories, 10-Story packages, and livestreams that are simultaneously broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. They also run high-frequency formats, such as a daily triple-post banner for four weeks and carousel ads of up to 10 posts per month.

24.kg

A Russian-language news agency with 2.8 million monthly visits, 24.kg focuses on politics, the economy, and official agendas, including original sources, press releases, official statements, expert commentary, and data. Its writing is formal and emotion-free, attracting a more mature audience that values verified information and clear structure. It’s one of the few media outlets that prioritizes accuracy over speed.

24.kg offers company news placements both on its website and across social platforms, develops articles tailored to specific goals, and runs banner ads on its site. Sponsored posts and promotional campaigns are available on Instagram and Facebook.

 

 

 

 

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Публикация от НОВОСТИ КЫРГЫЗСТАНА (@24_kg)

AKIpress

Being one of the most influential online media outlets in Kyrgyzstan, AKIpress has been operating since 2000. It functions as a comprehensive media ecosystem with a range of affiliated projects, covering topics from politics and economics to regional news, culture, and entertainment.

The main site draws around 2.6 million visits per month. Its news feed is updated around the clock — from breaking news to in-depth analysis and special reports.

Content is published primarily in Russian, which serves as both the working language of the newsroom and the primary language of the audience. There is also an English version, though it’s used infrequently.

AKIpress includes a number of thematic platforms under its umbrella: Tazabek, focused on business and economic news; Turmush, covering regional events; Svodka,  dedicated to incidents and emergencies; Reporter, a space for user-generated content;  Limon.kg, offering entertainment content; and BulBul.kg — a video platform. In addition, it operates niche sites devoted to culture, sports, education, healthcare, and the environment.

The media group is open to advertising opportunities. All placement options and terms are centralized at reklama.akipress.org portal.

One of the standard offerings is the publication of press releases and company news. These pieces are placed in relevant sections of the site and formatted to match the outlet’s editorial style.

Banner advertising is also available on the homepage and within thematic sections, making it a suitable option for campaigns focused on reach and brand awareness.

For campaigns that require a custom approach, AKIpress offers special projects — editorial-style pieces created in collaboration with advertisers. These are tailored to align with the platform’s tone and content format.

Advertisers can also place content across AKIpress’s affiliate platforms: Tazabek, Turmush, Svodka, Reporter, Limon.kg, and others. This allows brands to target more specific audiences and choose topics that are highly relevant to their message.

AKIpress maintains an active presence on social media, with over 1 million followers on Instagram and strong engagement across Telegram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. This provides broad reach and enables the platform to shape the news agenda not only via its website but also through social channels.

 

 

 

 

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Публикация от АКИпресс - Новости Кыргызстана (@akipress)

Vecherniy Bishkek

One of the oldest Russian-language media brands in Kyrgyzstan, Vecherniy Bishkek receives around 312,500 visits per month. In recent years, it has fully transitioned to a digital format while preserving its recognizable structure — news feeds, categories, and opinion columns. The outlet covers city events, opinion pieces, politics, and cultural topics, maintaining a familiar tone and format that appeals to its long-time readers.

The site vb.kg (Vecherniy Bishkek) offers advertising options including banner placements, branded content, and PR articles. Banner ads are available on both the homepage and in specific sections of the site. Additionally, informational articles can be published within relevant site categories. Formats are selected based on the goals of each campaign.

Super.kg

A Kyrgyz-language media outlet with a monthly traffic of 23,600 visits, Super.kg focuses on entertainment, showbiz, and pop culture. It has a strong presence in the southern regions of the country. The platform publishes short-form content, celebrity news, videos, and light stories, all tailored for a broad audience and visually driven consumption.

Advertising here operates through an integrated model — the website, mobile version, and social media complement each other, offering advertisers flexible and attention-grabbing formats.

The website features banner placements at the top, center, sides, and in full-screen format. Banners can also be embedded directly under news articles. On the mobile version, pop-up ads with customizable display frequency appear on the homepage and in the 'Songku kabar' and 'Super-Info' sections.

Video ads are placed in the ‘Mediaportal’ and ‘Kinozal’ sections as short clips shown before and after the main content. PR articles can be published in the general news feed across topics like politics, culture, show business, sports, and business, as well as in dedicated sections like ‘Biznes-info’ and ‘Blagoe delo’.

All ad formats can be mirrored on Super.kg’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Custom placement terms are available upon request.

 

 

 

 

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Публикация от SUPER.KG / ЖАҢЫЛЫКТАР / НОВОСТИ / NEWS (@super.kg_official)

Media on Social Platforms

Below is the current breakdown of key players, with a focus on their reach on Instagram and Facebook.

Social-media followers of key Kyrgyz news outlets

Rank	Media	Instagram Followers	Facebook Followers	Language
1	Super.kg	1.2 million	39 thousand	Kyrgyz
2	Akipress	1 million	107 thousand	Russian
3	Kaktus.media	815 thousand	129 thousand	Russian
4	24.kg	532 thousand	49 thousand	Russian
5	Vecherniy Bishkek	26.9 thousand	43 thousand	Russian

Let’s summarize

Kyrgyzstan is a country with high mobile internet penetration and a strong habit of consuming information via smartphones. The core of media consumption takes place on social platforms and in messengers, particularly on Instagram and Facebook. These are the spaces where users read the news, follow trends, and engage with advertising messages.

Online media outlets are more than just news sources — they are active content distribution channels. Visual formats, concise texts, and trust in the source are the three key factors that drive the effectiveness of a media campaign.

Regional differences remain critically important. In Bishkek, Russian is more common, the pace is fast, and users prefer feed-based consumption. In the regions, Kyrgyz is dominant, content is often shared within groups, and messengers are the main access point. Broad, one-size-fits-all approaches tend to be less effective than targeted strategies tailored to specific audiences.

The RMAA Group team supports international brands in launching media projects across Kyrgyzstan and the wider CIS region. To discuss potential placements or ask a question, fill out the contact form below. We’ll get in touch shortly.

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