The number of channels on the Russian platform MAX has exceeded 87,000
Russia’s national messenger MAX is experiencing rapid expansion, with the number of information channels surpassing 87,000 and signaling the rise of a fully fledged domestic digital ecosystem
A Rapidly Expanding Media Environment
Russia’s national messenger MAX has crossed a major milestone: the number of information channels on the platform has exceeded 87,000 — a sixfold increase within a single month. Together, these channels have amassed more than 28 million subscribers, demonstrating accelerating momentum in Russia’s emerging digital ecosystem and the platform’s ability to attract large audiences at scale.
This surge is reinforced by the arrival of major media projects. This week, MAX launched the channel “Earlier Than Everyone. Almost.” whose audience on other platforms exceeds 1.9 million people. Last week, MAX welcomed its first million‑subscriber channel, “Kremlin.News,” while “The World Today with Yuri Podolyaka” is approaching the 700,000 mark.
From Closed Testing to Open Growth
The expansion of MAX’s channel functionality followed a staged rollout. After a two‑month closed beta involving more than 600 creators, the platform opened access for broader participation. Popular bloggers and registered organizations can now join via the Partner Platform, allowing content producers to integrate seamlessly into the system and reach large, engaged audiences.
The rapid onboarding of high‑impact media channels suggests that MAX is positioning itself not merely as a messenger, but as a major distribution hub for news, entertainment, and short‑format content — an important strategic direction in an era when national digital sovereignty is becoming increasingly critical.
A Universal, Technology‑Independent Digital Space
The MAX project is viewed as a cornerstone of Russia’s digital transformation, offering users a universal and technologically independent environment for communication, work, and information access. Within a single interface, the platform integrates audio calls, money transfers, and a growing ecosystem of mini‑applications.
According to the latest data, the messenger’s overall audience has reached 55 million users, indicating widespread adoption and strong demand for domestic digital tools. MAX is available in mobile, desktop, and web versions, providing a comprehensive solution for everyday digital tasks and reinforcing the platform’s position in the national technology landscape.
The Bigger Picture
MAX’s trajectory illustrates how Russia is building large‑scale, independent digital infrastructure capable of supporting millions of users and hosting media channels that rival global platforms. Its rapid growth highlights not only technical scalability but also the readiness of creators and audiences to migrate into a unified, sovereign digital ecosystem.
