In August 2000 a fire in the top of the tower seriously damaged its structure and the local authorities were even considering to demolish it as security measure.

Ostankino Tower contains 3544 stairs.

In 1994 TV Ostankino wanted to increase the transmission capacity of the tower to 40 channels. Increasing the height of the tower to 1,845 ft (561 m) was not possible because of a lack of financing.

The structural weight is over 55,000 tons.

Ostankino TV & BC Tower transmits the signals of 11 television stations, 12 radio-broadcasting stations and 17 satellite TV programs.

The Ostankino Tower is member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

In 2004 a monorail station opened nearby giving people working at the TV centre transit to the metro system.

The famous "Seventh Heaven" restaurant, at the height of 334 meters, has been closed since the 2000 fire.

The tower was modernised and strengtned after the fire that took place in 2000, work was completed before 2004.

On March 25th 2005 the first elevator was tested and put into service after the fire in August 2000.

World's tallest self-supporting structure from 1967 to 1975: Surpassed by the CN Tower.

In 2005 a new elevator was installed with a capacity of 13 people and a speed of 7 m/s.

The elevator goes to a height of 347 meters in 56 seconds.

Has a public observatory and attracts 0.2 million people per year.