Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend S.Ilhamgizi / Trend's interview with Rustam Aliyev, the Director General of R-ТV, which will open in Khacmaz
Question: What will be the difference of R-ТV from the other Azerbaijani channels?
Answer: The television channel will basically use digital technology without the use of cassettes. The major peculiarity is that R-ТV is the first television channel in Azerbaijan fully created using digital technology. As you know, there was a television channel in Khachmaz before, but it was closed. We were issued a license for this frequency. Seven months ago we set up work and the television channel will be on air next month. During this period much has been done, a new studio were established, the system was adjusted to digital technology, the illumination system was changed, the transition to digital video recording was carried out, and four new studios were opened. Initially it is planned to broadcast R-ТV over 16-18 hours a day. The broadcast's dispersal is also larger and it covers four districts of Azerbaijan - Khachmaz, Guba, Gusar, and Devechi.
R-ТV will be a local televosion channel. The channel will broadcast news covering four regions, including a talk-show and shows that investigate local problems, as well as films in Azerbaijani, in addition to enlightening and entertaining programs. We created a dub studio for translating foreign films into Azerbaijani. Initially 90% of the broadcasting will in Azerbaijani.
Question: The broadcasting covers the regions where national minorities, particularly, Lesgis, reside. Are there plans to broadcast a program in the Lezgi language?
Answer: We are thinking over the form of the establishment of R-ТV as a private television channel and then it will be decided which television channels will be broadcast. However, we will try to cover interests of this region and of the people residing here.
Question: How could you describe the channel's policy? Which political camp will be featured more in the major political processes?
Answer: The television channel will serve the interests of the Azerbaijani state. We have no intention to support any political force. We will come out from the interests of the statehood and prepare programs on this principle.
Question: As opposed to Baku, the advertising opportunities of the regions are very limited and economic opportunities are also very low. Did you take into consideration this factor while opening the television channel in the region?
Answer: Yes, we took it into the consideration. Firstly it is necessary to produce a good product and then put it up for market. If there is a good product, it will be acquired. I analyzed the market of the region. I figured out that there is an absence of quality products in Azerbaijan. Regional television channels functioning in Azerbaijan do not produce high-quality television programs, and therefore cannot increase their ratings. They do not produce competitive television programs and the advertisement market is very poor. However, we want to establish high-quality programs to attract advertising. The Azerbaijani regions are developing at a rapid pace, and new plants and enterprises are being built, and new jobs are being opened. These are the potential advertisers. We have conducted training for television employees in Khachmaz for six months and are teaching them how to present news and television programs so as to gain ratings. If people watch our channel, we will gain ratings and of course advertisements.
Question: You plan to open a television channel in Yevlakh, but will it occur?
Answer: We laid a foundation of a huge regional television studio in Yevlakh on 24 October with the participation of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev. It is planned to complete the construction of the building in six to seven months. It is also supposed to be the most modern project. The interior and facade of the building will meet modern standards of television. The area of the television studio will comprise 550sq m, enabling to prepare different programs. Two more studios will open with an area of 100sq m. The channel will be on air in mid-2007. It is called Yevlakh TV, where the brand can be changed in the end.