The article discusses the changes that occurred in the programming strategies of two mandatory publicly available Russian TV channels (universal Channel One and the niche channel STS) during the initial wave of the COVID19 pandemic. It was discovered that in April 2020, both broadcasters added new shows dedicated to the problem of the spread of coronavirus to their grids. During the crisis period, both “Channel One” and STS turned to higher quality or premiere film content. In other respects, the broadcast of both TV channels during the lockdown was built in accordance with the strategies approved in the regular situation at the start of the season. It is concluded that the measures taken by broadcasters were not enough to consolidate the trend towards an increase in the audience of linear television, which emerged at the time of the crisis.