On October 12 two private TV companies went on permanent air: "Hay TV" and "Kentron". By the results of broadcast licensing competition, announced by the National Commission on Television and Radio on April 2, 2002, the founder of "Hay TV", "Shark" LLC, was licensed to broadcast on 44th UHF in Yerevan, and the founder of "Kentron", "Sharm" LLC – to broadcast on the 37th UHF of the capital (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 30 – April 5, 2002).
As it is known, the decision of the National Commission for the 37th frequency, where the opposition TV company "A1+" used to broadcast since 1997, was a subject for heated debate in the society and was followed by a number of litigations. The loss of air by "A1+" remains in the focus of attention.
The public also remains concerned over the future of "Noyan Tapan" TV company who lost the broadcast licensing competition for 35th UHF on the same day, April 2. The license holder for the frequency was announced to be "Shoghakat" LLC. The new TV company is expected to go on air in late October.