“It is called slow death” (video)
After shifting to the digital broadcasting, a number of regional TV stations continue analogue broadcasting, but already without audience, “When the analogue broadcasting was stopped, all the residents obtained digital devices. So we fell aside,” says Khachik Danielyan, Director of “Alt” TV company of Armavir. Mnatsakan Harutyunyan, Director of “Hrazdan” TV, adds, “It is called slow death. If no steps are taken, TV stations will disappear, it is the vision. Maybe they have also though the same way, which a violation of Constitution and the freedom of speech; that decision is very vulnerable.” The term of analogue licenses of the regional TV companies has been extended until introduction of a private multiplexer. But as it isn’t still available, only one local TV channel is broadcast in each region. That TV channel is linked to the public station. “First, we were told that the multiplexer created by the state is able to include various programs of various TV stations, but then why did they limit it to a few stations? If there was a chance, we should have also been included in them,” notes Mnatsakan Harutyunyan. According to the words of Khachik Danielyan, the contest of private multiplexer hasn’t been held for several years, “There are several reasons.” The regional TV companies can see the solution to the problem in two draft laws presented to the National Assembly by three journalism organizations. Directors of the regional TV companies note that even if multiplexers are introduced, they will continue to sustain losses, as the technical process will take much time. Watch details in the video!
