Recently Aimmee Kodachian, the producer of my television show, “The World of Book Reviews” decided to move my show, along with several others that she produces, to the Armount Television Network. Upon arriving at the station, I had the pleasure and the honor to meet the owners of the station, Arman & Gayane Adamyan.

Armount Television Network was the first Armenian station in Nevada and is now the largest Armenian Television network in the state based on programming, viewership and coverage. Armount TV is broadcasting in high definition (HD) and in other formats, providing 24 hours of entertainment and news programming.

Arman & Gayane immediately made me feel at home in the station. They are a team and Aimmee and I quickly became members of their team. We are all working together to bring our viewing audience the best possible television experience. They are passionate about what they are doing. Leaving Los Angeles and moving Armount TV to Las Vegas was a big step. The Adamyan’s are Aremenian. They saw the Armenian population in Las Vegas increasing enormously and as there was no Armenian television station in Las Vegas at the time, they saw an opportunity.

I was curious to know more about them and I am sure you are too, so read on. They are a fascinating couple.

When did you first get into television?
Arman: My passion for television production started when I was 16 years old when my father formed the 1st TV station called Shirak Television in my hometown Gyumri, Armenia. I started volunteering at his company, then was hired as a video editor. After 5 years my family moved to the United States and I continued working with tv companies for another 13 years. I always had that idea of opening a tv station, mainly in Los Angeles. Before being in tv station, I’ve tried all kinds of different businesses. I used to have a coffee shop with my wife, and my family owned and still runs an alteration store called Denim Revival, which is one of a kind in the U.S. It repairs jeans with any age and condition. I also had a web development company in Armenia, but no matter how I went around, I’d always come back to the television job.

Gayane: I was in my early 20’s when I started my career as a TV host for Shirak Television.

What types of programs do you host and produce?
Arman: We produce programs in English as well as Armenian. Our first production was the cooking program “Spice it up with Chef Aram” and it’s getting more and more audience by each day. Another project we are working on is our free smart tv and smartphone application, that gives people the opportunity to watch our channel regardless of their geographic location. Also, soon our audience will have the option of over air broadcasting which will allow them to watch our channel even with the simplest dish. We have a lot of plans, but everything step by step, I don’t want to fully open the parenthesis.

How did the two of you meet?
Arman: Gayane was hosting a show I was producing. After a few months of working together, we formed a friendship that led to a relationship very quickly.

Who influenced you?
Arman: My father is a photographer and so I have been around cameras all my life. I grew up having a passion for film and photography.

Gayane: I always liked journalism and radio. An opportunity came up for a television host and I thought I’d give it a try. I immediately fell in love with the profession.

What inspires you?
Arman: I like toys…very expensive toys! For me, television is not a business, it’s an expensive hobby.

Gayane: The people I meet inspire me. I enjoy meeting people from different aspects of life.

What does Armount mean?
Arman: The name has Armenian origins and meaning. It’s named after Ararat Mount and the logo represents the mountain. Sometimes people think I got selfish and named it after my name (laughing), but I didn’t.

What were the biggest surprises you have encountered in the television world?
Arman: The television world is full of surprises. The biggest one, I would say, was when we opened our station in Las Vegas; the first week we were offered to produce a live telethon for Syria Refugees with 200 guests in a little studio we had at that time.

What is your proudest television moment?
Arman: When I received the proclamation from Clark County Commissioners that they recognize June 1st as Armount TV Day.

Gayane: When we got full coverage broadcasting in Las Vegas Metropolitan.

What’s the best advice you were ever given and who gave it to you?
Arman: My ex-boss said…don’t do it! (laughing)

What was the most important decision you ever made?
Gayane: Make the big leap and move to Las Vegas.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in television?
Arman: Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone discourage you. It is very rewarding when you accomplish your dreams.

Where to from here for the Adamyans?
Arman: To become a full power television network in the US. We hope to grow and become one of the largest Armenian channels in the U.S., because we’re putting a lot of effort and time in getting to that point. We are open to any ideas and projects and welcome anyone who would like to go big with our channel. We’re getting a lot of suggestions from people now. It’s amazing what creative ideas they come up with.

Gayane: Ditto!

I have every confidence you will do that. It has been my pleasure to learn more about you and to work with you on my show. I look forward to a long and successful relationship with Armount Television.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of CHOICES Magazine