# Wink (Rostelekom)
**Wikidata**: [Q115657290](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115657290)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wink-rostelekom

## Summary
Wink is a Russian online video platform and streaming service owned and founded by the national telecommunications operator Rostelecom. Launched on October 1, 2018, and headquartered in Moscow, the service operates as a broadcaster and website, providing Russian-language content to viewers across various digital devices.

## Key Facts
- **Owner:** Rostelecom
- **Inception:** October 1, 2018
- **Headquarters:** Moscow, Russia
- **Primary Language:** Russian
- **Instance of:** Online video platform, streaming service, website, broadcaster
- **Website:** https://wink.ru/
- **YouTube Viewership:** 128,943,209 views (as of November 24, 2025)
- **Social Media Reach:** 373,000 followers on YouTube (as of November 24, 2025)
- **Alternative Names:** Винк (Cyrillic alias)
- **Rutube Channel ID:** 25346497

## FAQs
### Q: Who owns and operates Wink?
A: Wink is owned and operated by Rostelecom, Russia's largest integrated provider of digital services and solutions. The company also founded the platform.

### Q: When was the Wink streaming service launched?
A: The service was officially launched on October 1, 2018.

### Q: On which social media platforms does Wink have a verified presence?
A: Wink maintains verified accounts or profiles on several major platforms, including VK (username: wink.russia), Telegram (username: WinkRussia), Dzen (ID: wink), and YouTube (handle: winkoriginalsrussia).

### Q: How large is Wink's audience on YouTube?
A: According to data from November 24, 2025, the Wink Russia YouTube channel has approximately 373,000 followers and over 128 million total video views.

## Why It Matters
Wink serves as a significant digital extension of Rostelecom, transitioning traditional telecommunications infrastructure into the digital content and streaming market. As a product of Russia's largest provider of digital services, Wink represents a major move to capture domestic audience share in the online video sector. Its classification as both a streaming service and a broadcaster allows it to function as a hybrid platform, likely integrating live TV with on-demand content.

The platform's relevance is highlighted by its substantial viewership numbers, with over 128 million views recorded on its YouTube channel alone as of late 2025. This level of engagement indicates a strong integration into the Russian digital ecosystem. Furthermore, its verified presence across multiple native Russian platforms (such as VK, Dzen, and Rutube) alongside global platforms (YouTube and Telegram) demonstrates a comprehensive strategy to engage Russian-speaking audiences. By operating out of Moscow and offering services entirely in Russian, Wink is positioned as a key player in the localized media consumption habits of the region, leveraging Rostelecom's extensive network to distribute content.

## Notable For
- **Corporate Backing:** Being wholly owned and founded by Rostelecom, Russia's primary telecommunications backbone operator.
- **Multi-Platform Verification:** Holding verified status on major Russian-specific platforms like VK, Telegram, and Dzen, as well as YouTube.
- **High Engagement:** Accumulating over 128 million video views on its primary YouTube channel, demonstrating significant audience reach.
- **Hybrid Functionality:** Operating simultaneously as an online video platform, a streaming service, a website, and a broadcaster.

## Body

### Organizational Structure and History
Wink is an entity classifying as an online video platform, streaming service, website, and broadcaster. The organization was founded by and is currently owned by Rostelecom. The service officially commenced operations on October 1, 2018. While the concept of a website is broad, Wink specifically functions as a curated digital service rather than a generic web domain. Its operations are headquartered in Moscow, Russia.

### Digital Presence and Social Media
Wink maintains a comprehensive digital footprint designed to engage Russian-speaking users. Its official web portal is located at `https://wink.ru/`.

The entity maintains verified profiles across several social networking sites:
- **YouTube:** The channel operates under the handle `winkoriginalsrussia` (Channel ID: `UC_cHX-VUfPAzoyug6IDJ9rQ`).
- **VK:** The username is `wink.russia`.
- **Telegram:** The username is `WinkRussia`.
- **Dzen:** The platform ID is `wink`.
- **Rutube:** The channel ID is `25346497`.

### Audience Metrics
The platform's reach is documented through its social media statistics, particularly on YouTube.
- **Followers:** As of November 24, 2025, the primary YouTube channel boasted 373,000 followers. Historical data shows growth from 9,480 followers in December 2022 to 381,000 in June 2024.
- **Views:** The total number of viewers/listeners on the YouTube channel was recorded at 128,943,209 as of November 24, 2025.
- **Video Count:** The channel hosts a library of content, with records indicating 151 videos associated with the channel profile.

### Branding and Identity
The service utilizes the English name "Wink" and the Cyrillic alias "Винк." Its logo is publicly accessible via the Wikimedia Commons file `Wink_LOGO_2021.png`. The entity is distinct from other uses of the term "wink" or capitalized "Wink" in other contexts. The working language of the platform and its name is Russian.

## References

1. YouTube API