GlobeCast WorldTV Launching Russian Net

GlobeCast WorldTV, an aggregator and distributor of international television and radio programming, is launching ARTN, the first 24-hour Armenian- and Russian-language television network in the United States, officials said Thursday.

The new channel will be distributed directly to consumers as part of GlobeCast WorldTV’s European bouquet, which also includes channels from 14 European countries including Italy, Poland and Romania.

Produced live from ARTN’s Los Angeles studio, the free-to-air service will offer the rapidly expanding Russian and Armenian communities in the United States a wide variety of cultural and entertainment programs including travel, fashion, food, children’s programs, game shows and an everyday broadcast of soap operas.

Due to Russia’s recent economic resurgence, there has been an increased global demand for Russian-speaking channels. However, in addition to Russian and Armenian, ARTN reaches a host of communities originating from neighbouring Eastern European countries, such as Belarus and the Ukraine.