Broadcasting of Russian Channel One Resumed in Armenia

The broadcasting of Russian Channel One has resumed in Armenia after the accumulated debt of 2.5 million drams has been fully paid off. This was stated by Minister of High Technology Industry Mikayel Hayrapetyan during the annual report discussion on the execution of the 2023 state budget.

“Since I assumed the responsibilities of the minister in January, we have held several meetings with Armenian television channels operating in the public multiplex and informed them that we are planning to take care of them with various mechanisms in the near future. However, there is one red line for us - the payments that go to the Armenian television and radio broadcasting network. All television channels that do not fulfill their financial obligations face penalties. Several Armenian television channels have fallen under that sanction, and we are not at all pleased about that fact. It is a sad fact that the sector is in quite a heavy state,” said the Minister.

He emphasized that Russian and any other channels that are in the public multiplex must also adhere to these rules. They cannot penalize or demand Armenian television channels to make payments on time and do the same with any foreign television channel.

“It has been recorded that after several notifications, the debt was not settled. We are talking about a significant amount, a debt of 2.5 million drams had accumulated. And we had to take that step. And I am happy to say that the next day, Russian Channel One completely settled that debt, and the broadcast was restored the following day,” Hayrapetyan stated.

Previously, the broadcasting of Russian Channel One in Armenia had been suspended. The Minister of High Technology had clarified that the company 'Channel One, Global Network' had not fulfilled its contractual obligations, accumulating a debt of 2.5 months.