REN TV
In 2003 Astakhov became the host of "Chas Suda" ("Hour of Judgment") which aired on the REN TV channel. It was the first Russian judge show. Unlike "Judge Judy" in the US, both parties in these trials are played by actors, with Astakhov acting as judge. The show became enormously popular and Astakhov set up a production company, Pravo TV, to make other programs with a legal theme.