On October 15 the National Commission on Television and Radio announced a new broadcast licensing competition. 11 frequencies have been introduced at the competition: six in Yerevan (27th, 31st, 39th, 51st, 58th UHFs and FM 105.5); two UHFs in the city of Abovian, Kotayk region (24th and 26th); one UHF is introduced for bidding in each of the following cities – Gavar, Gegharkunik region (22nd), Kajaran, Syunik region (40th), Gyumri, Shirak region (28th).
All these frequencies currently are occupied by various TV and radio companies.
In the capital the 27th UHF is used by "Dar 21", rebroadcasting the Russian "MuzTV" channel; the 31st UHF – by "ARMENAKOB", the 39th – by "TV 5", rebroadcasting the Russian MTV channel; the 51st – by "Yerevan"; the 58th – by "EV", rebroadcasting CNN, while on FM 105.5 "Hai FM 105.5" is aired.
The Abovian 24th and 26th UHFs are currently occupied by "Abovian" and "Lanj" TV companies, respectively.
The 22nd frequency in Gavar is used by "Erankyuni" TV company, the 40th in Kajaran – by "Kapuyt Jugh", the 28th in Gyumri – by "Shant".
The deadline for the bids is on November 8. The bids will be considered by the National Commission on November 19 and 20, 2002. The results of the competition will be announced on the 40th day after the announcement.
The competition itself, the frequencies to be introduced there and the terms have been discussed by the journalistic community long before the announcement. The main question asked by press, especially the opposition-oriented media, is whether "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan" will take part in the new competition. According to the TV companies themselves, they have not made their decisions yet.
As to the requirements introduced to the applicants for this or that frequency, the National Commission continues its policy, shown during the February competition (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, February 16-22, 2002): it aspires for strict regulation of the activities of private broadcasters. While reading the new competition terms, a question arises again: what were the grounds for the National Commission to stipulate certain parameters? Thus, why, of all the 11 frequencies, only the 27th UHF in Yerevan, currently rebroadcasting "MuzTV", has a profile requirement (music and youth-oriented)? Why, along with this requirement, a complete rebroadcasting of a foreign TV station for the 27th frequency is not stipulated, being done exclusively for the 58th UHF in Yerevan, currently airing CNN programs? Moreover, the bidders for 58th frequency can either be making programs of general profile or a complete rebroadcast of a foreign TV channel. In the opinion of experts, this combination is, mildly speaking, incorrect. And, finally, why in case of a complete rebroadcast, the programs in English, Russian, French, German and Spanish languages do not have to be translated into Armenian simultaneously, while the translation from other languages is obligatory? What researches confirm that the population of Armenia has a better command of, say, Spanish than Persian?
Meanwhile, the composition of the National Commission on Television and Radio has again undergone changes (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, June 15-21, 2002). This time the founder of "Triada" computer company Arsen Badeyan filed a resignation. On September 27 the RA President Robert Kocharian signed decrees of a pre-term authority discontinuation of Mr. Badeyan and the appointment of Artak Zakarian to the vacant position. Artak Zakarian, previously on managerial positions in companies specialized in IT and telecommunications, is currently the co-founder and the Director of "Bi Line" LLC. As stipulated by the transitional provisions of the Law “On Television and Radio” and so as to ensure rotation, the first National Commission members, formed on March 19, 2001, are appointed for different terms of service (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 17-23, 2001). The term of service of Artak Zakarian ends on March 19, 2003.
