AMMAN (JT) - The Audio-Visual Commission (AVC) on Tuesday gave ATV the green light to start satellite transmission, AVC Director of Hussein Bani Hani said.
Zaid Rashdan, director general of the Jordanian United TV Broadcasting Company-owned station, sent a letter to the AVC earlier this week requesting permission to start transmission. But he said the channel was still not ready for broadcasts due to financial reasons.
In the letter, Rashdan said he will notify the commission of the new transmission date in accordance with procedures, adding that the delay in transmission is aimed at rectifying the company's financial affairs, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
ATV, Jordan's first privately-owned television station, has faced several hurdles blocking transmission since its planned August launch.
The AVC, the state regulatory arm, halted the official launch of the station's satellite transmission on August 1, citing incomplete paperwork.
On August 9, the launch faced a new hurdle after the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTVC) insisted that an agreement between the two establishments only tackles terrestrial transmission.
Last year, Jordan Television leased its Channel Two, a terrestrial channel, to ATV, which owes the corporation JD2.5 million under the agreement.
Rashdan added that the company's new administration will settle all outstanding issues with JRTVC.
Late last month, the channel was sold to a Jordanian company called Al Ajayeb for Investments for more than JD15 million.
Mohammad Alayyan, former chairman and founder of ATV, signed the transfer of ownership deal with the company, owned by two Jordanians, Mohammad Khalid Asfour and Mohammad Abdul Aati.
The station will offer an array of films, Arabic and foreign dramas, cultural programmes, news bulletins, family entertainment and sporting events.
© Jordan Times 2007
