BURBANK‹Charter Communications will launch the Public Television of Armenia in Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta and parts of La Canada. The Public Television of Armenia (commonly known as the Armenian National TV or first channel) channel will be provided direct from Armenia on the cable company's digital tier starting September 1. "We are very pleased that Charter Communications is able to continue expanding the programming offered to our customers by adding this popular channel from Armenia," stated Tom Belcher, group vice president for Charter Communications.

The programming on the 24-hour daily channel includes movies, soap operas, family entertainment, game shows, musical concerts, cultural documentaries, kids shows, and news reports direct from Armenia. The channel became available in the United States in May of this year on a satellite system distributed by MGN/Paradise, Inc. According to the Burbank based US distributor, the real time transmissions will bring Diaspora and Armenia closer to each other.

Charter Digital Cable customers in Glendale, Burbank and La Crescenta will be able to view the channel at no additional charge during the entire month of September. Starting on October 1, customers with digital receivers who desire to continue viewing the channel will need to subscribe to the Public Television of Armenia for a monthly fee of $9.95.

The launch of the Public Television of Armenia by Charter Communications expands the amount of Armenian language programming by adding a second 24-hour channel on the cable company serving Glendale, Burbank and La Crescenta. In 1998, Charter Communications launched a 24-hour Armenian language channel on its expanded basic tier to provide a unique opportunity to more than 80,000 residents of Armenian descent served by the Glendale and Burbank system. The channel known as the Armenian Cable Television is managed by Horizon TV and originates from Glendale. It presents original and live programs of interest to the Armenian community of Southern California. Charter Communications' basic tier customers also have access to more than 18 hours of daily programming in Armenian on three leased access channels.