The first-ever Armenian-Turkish TV channel in Turkey began broadcasting after two years of preparation work and efforts to establish the channel.

Luys TV, which means "light" in Armenian, was established by journalist Aram Kuran and has began airing with a team of 21 employees.

Kuran, editor in chief of the new channel told Anadolu Agency that they went through many arduous ways during the establishment process of the channel but they received great support, especially from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

One of the early high-profile guests of the channel was former Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister and Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım, who appeared on the channel on March 3 for a broadcast ahead of the March 31 local elections, in which he ran for Istanbul mayor as the candidate of the People's Alliance formed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The channel initially started broadcasting on Jan. 6, 2019 by publishing Christmas rituals online, while it broadcasts weekly news now in Western Armenian — one of the two branches of the modern Armenian language — for the first time in Turkey every Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. There is also live broadcast twice a week.

"Once we started broadcasting, we received amazing feedback from the audience. This has doubled our excitement," said Kuran, adding that when they examined the ratings, they saw he need for such a channel.

"That's why I'm so happy. I thank my team and my country. I would especially like to thank our Armenian citizens who watch us abroad. Especially those who watch our broadcasts from abroad are very happy," Kuran said.


Anchor Barkev Samuelian during the recording of the channeltarget="_blank"'>