A1+ TV, ALM TV not granted broadcast licenses

The National Television and Radio Commission (NTRC) announced Thursday the winners of the tender for broadcast licenses to private television and radio companies for airing in a digital range.

Two TV channels - Armnews and A1+ TV (represented by Meltex LLC) - were competing for a license in Contest No. 11. Armnews won the contest, receiving 44 points. A1+ TV channel, with 2 points, was defeated. The only committee member voting for this TV company was the director of Mediamax news agency, Ara Tadevosyan. The other committee members were Grigor Amalyam Zhirayr Dadasyan, Simavon Andreasyan, Armen Mkrtchyan, Ara Tadevosyan, Aram Melkonyan, Hayk Kotanyan and Koryun Arakelyan.

Two other TV companies – ALM Holding and Yerevan TV – were seeking a license in Contest 8. Yerevan TV became a winner with 40 points, leaving behind the ALM TV channel which, having gained 32 points, was deprived of a license.

The licensing contests for digital broadcasts were launched by the National Television and Radio company on July 20, 2010 in accordance with the new amendments to the Law on Television and Radio