Sosi TV station broadcasting from the southern Armenian city of Kapan will switchover from analog to digital broadcasting in 2015. The TV station’s audience will also broaden as it will be accessible to all of Syunik province. Currently, the station broadcasts in Kapan, Meghri, Agarak, Qajaran and neighboring villages. Sosi TV has been on air since 2000; it was formed on the basis of Dzagedzor company (established in 1996) and is funded by the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine (plant).

Sosi director Vahe Sargsyan says they plan to increase the number of broadcast programs, staff and technical equipment.

There are two other TV stations in Syunik: Syuni TV in Sisian and Last TV in Goris. Their broadcasting license is in effect till the end of 2014. Vahe Sargsyan doesn’t rule out the possibility of collaborating with Sisian’s and Goris’ TV stations over time. “It would be convenient for us to work with local stations since they have the equipment — neither do I rule out collaboration with correspondents in the province’s cities, depending on the medium. But perhaps it’s too soon to speak of this: we don’t have a clear position at this time and we’re not taking steps in that direction specifically,” he says.

Syuni TV director Arayik Harutyunyan likewise considers it too early to speak of what the future holds for the station after 2015. In his opinion, one TV station broadcasting to all of Syunik province is not enough. Harutyunyan believes that Sosi TV alone cannot cover the life of Sisian and the other cities of the province in a normal and fair manner — especially considering the province’s unfavorable geographical position.

Syuni’s programs are broadcast in Sisian and in a few nearby villages. “We continue to work: we report on the region’s problems, local life and events. If we reach a mutual agreement with Sosi TV then perhaps after 2015 we’ll collaborate,” says Harutyunyan.

Also prepared to collaborate with Sosi TV is Last TV director Alvard Mesropyan. This Goris-based station’s programs are broadcast for residents of this city and nearby villages.

“We currently collaborate with H2 [Armenia’s Public TV channel] and we’re in favor of also working with the provincial stations in the future,” she says.

Meri Soghomonyan, Kapan