"COMPETITION" BY AMALYAN

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Grigor Amalyan & Co. tirelessly keep saying that the Commission decision on awarding 37th frequency to “Sharm” Company will be justified as soon as competition offers are released. Amalyan expressed his interest in quick publication of the offers. However the Commission doesn’t hurry to fulfil its promise.

A1+ TV Company requested the “Sharm” Company’s competition program. The Commission considered it sufficient to give instead of the program a half-page reference, confirming “Sharm” Company’s “sweeping” victory. According to Commission, irrefutable “superiority” of its program comparing with A1+ Company’s “poor” one is clearly seen in several aspects.

We are presenting simultaneously “Sharm” and ”A1+” Companies’ criteria, considering which Commission made its decision.

1. Volume of the programs of own production.

”Sharm” – 35 in 2004.

A1+ submit the list of programs of its production (“Ayb-Fe”, “Ayb-Fe+”, “Ayb-Fe Business”, “A1+ Press”, “Ayb-Fe Reference Book” , “Ayb-Fe Culture” , “A1+ Football”, “Football + Football”, “Jazz-Time”, “Art-Promo”, “Kiraki”, “Main Theme”, “P.S.”, “Quotation”, “Sabotage”, “Yerevan” Studio Represents”). Broadcasting round the clock, we provide production enough to cover necessary volume of own programs. And our 24-hour production percentage exceeds Sharm’s 35, 2003 – 60. The A1+ didn’t give any figures, because the provision on home production wasn’t clearly formulated in the terms of competition.

3. Technical capacity.

“Sharm” – One linear (Betacam SP) and three non-linear (Matrox Digi Sute LE) shooting devices and graphic stations. Purchasing of TV equipment for $850,000 is foreseen.

A1+ - Technical equipment provides the opportunity for live broadcasting, TV bridges, round-the-clock air. A1+ is planning re-equipment of the station and its complete transformation into a digital mode. A1+ also submit a 47-item list of equipment we possess.

4. Funding.

“Sharm” – Advertisement, commercials, commercial programs, show business, recording studio, production of video clips.

A1+ Advertisement, commercials, rendering commercial air, sponsorship, own production sell, founders’ investments, translation studio, which aims at translation and dissemination movies and scientific films in foreign languages.

“Sharm” pledge $1 mln. 850 thousands investment, however there is no requirement concerning investments in the announcement about competition. Moreover, current law stipulates, that only founders are allowed to invest money in a company development. And there is no room to any promise not confirmed by documents.

5. Staff professional qualification.

“Sharm” – Professional retraining of employees will be implemented within 3 or 4 months. By the completion of experimental broadcasting term 85 to 90 employees should be engaged in the TV Company’s activity.

A1+ - The most of the A1+ journalists are given qualification at High Courses for TV Employees, affiliating to A1+. They also periodically upgrade their qualification in different countries. Their films and footages one can see on CNN TV Channel, Russia’s RTR, Azerbaijan’s ANS and Georgia’s Rustavi – 2.

6. Programs’ policy and targets.

“Sharm – Informational, social, political, cultural, musical, for youth and children, entertaining, sport.

A1+ - News production is a key type of activity. Newscasts are being issued several times throughout a day. A1+ has introduced a number of already existing programs of own production. It was also mentioned that all the programs are now on the stage of development. New series of programs scheduled to be launched.

7. Daily air time.

“Sharm” – pledges 18 hours now and 24 hours in a year from the beginning of broadcasting.

A1+ - 24 hours from 1997.

8. Volume of news programs.

“Sharm” – 15 during 24-hour broadcasting.

9. Volume of scientific, educational and culture programs.

“Sharm” – up to terms of competition.

A1+ issues upbringing, educational and culture programs. All the programs are being acquired from the companies, which are well known in the field of television. Required volume is completely provided.

Competition program of A1+ also includes:

a. TV-Text. A1+ is the only station in the region, having interactive TV Text.

b. Web site www.a1plus.am. This month the web site was included into the list of the best 10 web sites of Armenia.

c. “Hamaspyur”. The network of independent TV companies, functioning all over the Armenia and providing exchange of information and giving licensed films to provincial stations.

A real program of A1+ which not only corresponds to standards, stipulated by laws, but also exceeds them and for years is proved to be sustainable is given a “poor” mark and deprived of air.

By the way, making the decision, the commission “by chance” omitted one of the key items of 54th article and the charter: “ in case of equal conditions priority is to be given to a functioning and law-abiding TV company.