Armenia TV
Armenian television channel offering news, entertainment, scripted programming, films, sports and international television formats.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Armenia TV is an Armenian television channel headquartered in Armenia and operating primarily for the Armenian domestic market. It was founded in 1997 by Gerard Cafesjian and Bagrat Sargsyan, with regular broadcasting beginning on 13 January 1998 in a 24-hour format. From its early years, the channel developed a broad general-entertainment schedule combining news, locally produced programs, comedy, television series, films, music and acquired international content. The channel’s development has been closely associated with technical modernization. In 2012, Armenia TV began testing upgraded transmission capabilities, followed by the official introduction of Full HD broadcasting in 2013. This made it the first television channel in Armenia to launch Full HD broadcasting, according to the channel’s published history. Armenia TV later expanded its high-definition ambitions: in 2016 it released “Ancient Kings,” identified as the first Armenian 4K television show. In November 2019, the channel announced another modernization program and plans to introduce 4K broadcasting more broadly. Armenia TV’s programming model combines original Armenian productions with licensed formats and international entertainment. Its reported format portfolio has included Armenian adaptations or presentations of The Voice, The Brainiest, What? Where? When?, Deal or No Deal and Fort Boyard. The channel has also worked with major international content companies and format owners, including The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Sony, Talpa, Endemol and TV Globo. Its schedule has included situation comedies, news programs, Armenian and foreign films, television series and other studio-based shows. Sports rights form another part of the channel’s business scope. Armenia TV has held broadcasting rights in Armenia for selected major football competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2020 and qualification matches for the World Cup. In June 2019, it announced the acquisition of a license related to Euro 2020 broadcasting in Armenia. The brand also expanded its distribution through a premium cable offering. On 14 September 2015, Armenia TV and Armenian telecommunications operator Ucom launched six additional cable channels for Ucom subscribers. These channels were positioned as an enhanced version of the Armenia TV offering: they carried no advertising, made programs available one day earlier than the main channel and included some content not broadcast on the original service. By the first half of 2020, Armenia TV was reported as the highest-rated Armenian channel in several broad programming categories, including news, fiction films, television series, comedy and music shows. In 2019, Artur Janibekyan and his family were reported to own all of the company’s shares, while Robert Hovhannisyan was identified as a co-owner or senior business-development figure in descriptions of the company. Armenia TV remains an active Armenian television brand with a mixed schedule of original production, acquired programming, sports rights and premium distribution services.
History
Armenia TV was established in 1997 by Gerard Cafesjian and Bagrat Sargsyan. The channel began broadcasting on 13 January 1998 and adopted a 24-hour schedule, building a general-interest service for Armenian viewers. Its programming developed around a mixture of news, entertainment, films, music, comedy, television series and locally produced studio programs. A significant stage in the channel’s development was the modernization of its technical infrastructure. Armenia TV tested upgraded broadcasting technology in 2012 and officially launched Full HD broadcasting in 2013. This was presented as a national first for Armenian television. The channel continued investing in higher-resolution production, releasing “Ancient Kings” in 2016 as the first Armenian 4K television show. In November 2019, it announced additional technical modernization and plans to introduce 4K broadcasting more extensively. Armenia TV’s content strategy has combined domestic production with international programming and licensed formats. Its reported partners have included The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Sony, Talpa, Endemol and TV Globo. Formats associated with the channel include The Voice of Armenia, The Brainiest, What? Where? When?, Deal or No Deal and Fort Boyard. This format-led approach complemented the channel’s original Armenian shows, situation comedies, news output, films and series. Sports became another important component of the service. Armenia TV has held rights to broadcast selected football competitions in Armenia, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2020 and World Cup qualification matches. In June 2019, the channel announced that it had purchased a license for Euro 2020. The brand expanded beyond its core channel in September 2015, when it partnered with Ucom to launch six premium cable channels. The channels were made available to Ucom users and offered an advertising-free viewing environment. They also provided selected programs one day ahead of the main Armenia TV schedule and carried some programming that did not appear on the original channel. Ownership information reported for 2019 identified Artur Janibekyan and his family as holders of 100% of the company’s shares. Robert Hovhannisyan was described in connection with the company’s ownership and business-development leadership. By the first half of 2020, Armenia TV was reported to lead Armenian television ratings across several categories, including news, fiction films, television series, comedy and music. The channel’s ongoing identity is that of a national Armenian broadcaster with a wide entertainment schedule, strong local production, sports rights and continuing investment in broadcast technology.
- 2020
Reported leadership in audience ratings
[1]By the first half of 2020, Armenia TV was reported as the highest-rated channel across several major programming categories.
- 2019
Ownership and modernization plans reported
[1]Artur Janibekyan and his family were reported to own all shares, while the channel announced further modernization and 4K plans.
- 2016
First Armenian 4K television show
[1]Armenia TV released “Ancient Kings,” identified as the first Armenian 4K television show.
- 2015
Armenia Premium launches
[1]Armenia TV and Ucom launched six premium cable channels for Ucom subscribers.
- 2013
Full HD launch
[1]Armenia TV officially launched Full HD broadcasting, reported as the first such launch by an Armenian television channel.
- 2012
Technical modernization and HD testing
[1]The channel undertook technical modernization and began testing upgraded broadcasting capabilities.
- 1998
Regular broadcasting begins
[1]Armenia TV began 24-hour broadcasting on 13 January.
- 1997
Armenia TV is founded
[1]Gerard Cafesjian and Bagrat Sargsyan founded the television channel.
Products and positioning
A broad-reach Armenian general-entertainment television channel combining local programming, news, sports rights, international formats and progressively upgraded broadcast technology.
Television channel · 1998
Armenia TV main channel
The core Armenia TV service is a general-interest Armenian television channel. Its schedule has included news, Armenian and international films, television series, situation comedies, music programs, entertainment shows and sports broadcasts. The service operates as the primary outlet for the brand’s original productions and acquired programming.
Premium cable television · 2015
Armenia Premium
Armenia Premium is a group of six cable channels launched with Ucom in 2015. The channels were offered to Ucom subscribers without advertising, provided some programs one day before their main-channel airing and included content not carried on the original Armenia TV service.
Television formats
International format programming
Armenia TV has produced or broadcast Armenian versions of internationally developed television formats, including The Voice of Armenia, The Brainiest, What? Where? When?, Deal or No Deal and Fort Boyard. These programs extend the channel’s schedule beyond news and locally originated entertainment.
Sports broadcasting
Football competition broadcasts
The channel has held Armenian broadcasting rights for selected major football competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2020 and qualification matches for the World Cup. Rights availability and competition coverage may vary by season.
Brand decisions
2019
Expansion of 4K broadcasting capabilityStrategyBackground
After producing a 4K show in 2016, Armenia TV announced further technical modernization.
Action taken
The channel announced plans to expand 4K broadcasting and upgrade its technical infrastructure.
Aftermath
The announcement positioned higher-resolution production as a continuing technology priority.
2015
Creation of Armenia PremiumProduct launchBackground
Armenia TV pursued a premium distribution product alongside telecommunications operator Ucom.
Action taken
The partners launched six cable channels with advertising-free programming, early access to selected shows and additional content.
Aftermath
The channels became available to Ucom users as a separate premium offering.
2013
Launch of Full HD broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
After technical modernization and testing, Armenia TV sought to improve picture quality and production capability.
Action taken
The channel officially launched Full HD broadcasting.
Aftermath
The launch was described as the first Full HD broadcast introduction by an Armenian television channel.
Sources2 sources
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