TV Markaz
{{Infobox television channel
| name = TV Markaz
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| image =
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2005|11|df=y}} (experimental)
{{start date and age|2005|12|31|df=y}} (regular) (experimental)
| closed_date = {{end date and age|2013|10|21|df=y}}
| picture_format = 4:3 SDTV
| network =
| owner = Terra Group (Gulnara Karimova)
| slogan =
| country = Uzbekistan
| area = Uzbekistan
| headquarters = Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| former_names =
| replaced =
| replaced_by =
| sister_channels =
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| website =
}}
TV Markaz was an Uzbek private television channel, owned by Gulnara Karimova's Terra Group. The channel emphasized its offerings on music programming and shut down due to scandals involving her assets in 2013.
History
TV Markaz started broadcasting in November 2005 and began regular broadcasts on December 31, 2005 (New Year's Eve), as Uzbekistan's first music channel.{{Cite web |url=http://terragroup.uz/pages/66 |title=Terra Group |website=Terra Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421193859/http://terragroup.uz/pages/66 |accessdate=25 September 2024|archive-date=2012-04-21 }} Initially aimed at the youth, TVM later expanded its scope to a wider family demographic, whose programming blended entertainment with elements of traditional Uzbek culture. As of 2010, 60% of the output was in Uzbek and 40% was in Russian. The station was the first to use DVCPRO technology in Uzbekistan.{{Cite web |url=http://terragroup.uz/pages/52 |title=Terra Group |website=Terra Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421203758/http://terragroup.uz/pages/52 |accessdate=25 September 2024|archive-date=2012-04-21 }}
Karimova used TV Markaz - like the other channels she owned - as a platform to showcase her activities to viewers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/fd/010408_uzbekistan_daughter_/010408_uzbekistan_daughter_en.pdf |title=Uzbekistan: President's Daughter Takes Another Step Toward 'Throne' |website=Parliament of the European Union |accessdate=25 September 2024}}
The channel suspended its operations on October 21, 2013.{{Cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/uzbek/lotin/2013/10/131022_latin_karimova_tvs |title=Karimovaning telekanallari nimaga ishlamayapti? |website=BBC |accessdate=22 October 2013}} Two days later, TV Markaz released an update on its website, claiming that the channel was set to resume operations under a new name and format.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ozodlik.org/a/25146345.html |title=TV Markaz efir to'xtatilishiga rasmiy izoh berdi |website=RFE/RL |accessdate=25 September 2024}}
Coverage
In its early years, TV Markaz had its coverage area limited to central Uzbekistan.{{cite book |title=Uzbekistan - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OnqHDQAAQBAJ |access-date=23 September 2024 |date=May 2017 | publisher=Kuperard |isbn=978-1-78702-998-9 }} As of 2010 the network was carried in the following analog terrestrial frequencies:
- Tashkent: 40 (UHF)
- Fergana Valley (Andijon and Namanagan): 12 (VHF)
- Fergana: 5 (VHF)
- Bukhara: 37 (UHF)
- Samarkand: 40 (UHF)
- Navoiy: 23 (UHF)
There were also plans to launch the station in Kashkadaryo, Surxondaryo, Karakalpakstan and Xorezm by 2012.
The channel was also available on MTS Uzbekistan's Mobile TV service as one of the two available channels as of 2010 (the other being the main state channel O‘zbekiston).{{Cite web |url=https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/mts-uzbekistan-cuts-prices-for-mobile-tv-service/ |title=MTS Uzbekistan cuts prices for Mobile TV service |website=Uzdaily.uz |accessdate=25 September 2024}}
Programming
- Top 10
- M-Files
- Bizning Musika
- Bolliwood Markazida (highlights from Bollywood, also featuring an Uzbek-dubbed version of Koffee with Karan)
- Drugaya Muzyka
- Zvezdolad
- Prime Time (cultural highlights in Tashkent)
- Jannat Makon (TV version of the magazine of the same name)
- Kinokur'er (news and information about premieres from Uzbek and international cinema)
- Prem'era (news from the Uzbek music scene)
- Baby Terra Landiya (TV version of the Baby Terra magazine)
References
{{reflist}}
Category:Uzbek-language television stations
Category:Russian-language television stations
Category:Mass media in Uzbekistan
Category:Television stations in Uzbekistan
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2005
Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2013