The station's history traces back to the first experiments on February 1, 1939; regular broadcasts started on November 6, 1951.

In its current form, it was launched in 2015 as the main TV channel of the newly created public broadcaster.

Pershyi is neither influenced by the state nor by Ukrainian oligarchs, which makes it one of the most transparent and reliable media outlets in Ukraine.

Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, from February 24, 2022 to May 21, 2024, the TV channel broadcast the informational marathon "United News".

[3] The move came as part of an indecision over whether or not the main channel should continue broadcasting United News all day or to bring back its own programming after two years.