AIST is one of the first non-state owned broadcasting companies in Eastern Siberia, Russia. It was established in 1991. Today, AIST is the leader in producing the most number of different thematic TV programmes in the Irkutsk area. AIST’s production reflects its local population’s needs and preferences — which is the reason it has about one million viewers.
Other than being the unique broadcasting company in the Irkutsk area, AIST also collaborates with overseas partners such as UBS-Mongolia and BTV-Japan. In 2008, AIST launched its branch in the Mongolia (AIST-Mongolia) to telecast in Ulan Bator and to create news programmes and other television programmes that run 24/7. AIST inspired the ideology behind The Fish Eye, the international festival of amateur films which it organises annually.
As a dynamic broadcaster, AIST is also involved in charities helping children and orphans. It also actively participates in professional competitions on international and federal levels. The broadcaster owns an advertising agency which renders the whole spectrum of advertising services.
The General Director of AIST is Amgalan Bazarkhandaev who joined the company in 2000. He has won awards for For Merits Before Fatherland and Glory of the Nation. He also won The North Star national award by Mongolia for foreign citizens as well as other distinctions for his work in the broadcasting arena.