Public Television apologizes for airing pop star’s concert on war anniversary

Armenia’s Public Television has apologized for broadcasting a recording of a concert by singer Tata Simonyan on September 27, 2026, the anniversary of the start of the 44-day war.

“The entertainment concert broadcast on Public Television on September 27 was a mistake, and we fully accept responsibility for it. We will not try to justify what happened by citing programming, technical or work-related circumstances. We apologize for what happened,” the television company said in a statement, adding that the relevant work procedures are being reviewed to prevent similar cases from recurring.

Singer Tata Simonyan also issued a statement, saying that he considers the broadcasting of his concert on that day a “serious mistake”.

The singer emphasized that the material was used without consulting him.

“I understand and fully agree: it was unacceptable to broadcast that concert on television on September 27. I apologize for what happened, but I consider it important to inform you that the concert is the property of Public Television. The material was used without consulting me. I consider the broadcast of my concert by Public Television on this day to have been a serious mistake that has no justification. Glory to our martyrs. I bow before their memory,” Tata Simonyan said in a statement.

The 44-day war of 2020, launched by Azerbaijan, claimed the lives of 3,833 Armenians, including 3,755 servicemen and 78 civilians. 191 people, including 19 civilians, remain missing.