Polls declare AVA Media as most viewed Kurdish channel

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - AVA Media has been found the most watched TV channel in the Kurdistan Region over the past broadcasting season, a scientific polling agency has announced.

The polling, conducted by the Kurdistan Region based Rama Agency, was done across the Kurdistan Region’s four provinces, distributing over 5,000 surveys manually in public places across the provinces.

“We printed 5,000 survey forms, and while people ask us why we do not do this digitally, but we have tried digital and we know that once a link gets sent to employees and beneficiaries, the data would not be accurate, which is why we did manual surveying,” Rama Agency’s director Rebwar Othman told The New Region.

“We distributed our survey forms in 13 cities and towns, and the distribution method was done as per the official population census in 2024,” Othman added.

Under a year old, AVA Media has become the most viewed television station that labels itself as a combination of news and entertainment channel, which according to Othman, this is the first time it has happened over the past nine broadcast seasons where they have done polling.

“We have done this for nine seasons, the top three did not change for the past eight seasons, this is the first time it changes,” Othman said, adding that this is a reflection of AVA Media’s work.

Prior to AVA, Rudaw had dominated the scene, coming out first over the last eight polls conducted by Rama Agency, but AVA rose to top, breaking the streak.

According to the polling results, AVA Media received 816 votes, coming ahead of the second outlet by 147 votes.

The channel, launched in September 2024, has created a great impact in such a short time.

Its most viewed news hour presented by their main news anchor Hawraz Gulpi, has set records time and again of being the most viewed.

Just a week ago, Gulpi’s exclusive interview with opposition leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi hours before his arrest saw over 70,000 people tuning in live on Facebook.

Earlier in April, the New York based NYX Awards named Rizgar Kochar and Chenar Abdulqadir, both working with AVA Media, as recipients of its golden award.

The first NYX Golden Award went to Kochar, a renowned Kurdish reporter with over two decades of experience in investigative journalism.

The second NYX Golden Award went to Chenar Abdulqadir, a widely loved and respected sports pundit in the Kurdistan Region.

“With an unmatched combination of wit, sports expertise, and engaging commentary, Chenar’s live coverage of global sporting events consistently draws unprecedented numbers,” the NYX Awards said. “His coverage of the Ballon d’Or ceremony alone attracted 64K live viewers—a record-breaking achievement in the region.”

Averaging over 50,000 live viewers per segment and over 2M views per reel, Chenar’s work resonates deeply with sports lovers, being the lead sports pundit in the region.

The rise to the top of the list is also hailed by the TV’s administration and the minds behind it all.

“When we started, our goal was to become the first, we had short and long term plans,” output manager Safin Taha told The New Region, adding that their initial goal was to become in the top three most viewed channels within a year.

“The regional events, our faith in ourselves, and the ability of our staff, helped us enter the crowd from the very first month, in less than six months we were competing with outlets much older than us, and in less than a year, we are the most viewed,” he added.

To many, reaching the top cools them off and they do not see a point in achieving more, but not to AVA, according to Taha.

“Reaching the top was not easy, but what is even harder is remaining on top, we will not lay back and ensure our viewers that we have many surprises and bigger programs for them in the new season,” he said.

But the rise to top has not made the channel forget its loyal audience, the channel has carried out several activities in the Kurdistan Region, including a large broadcast of the Champions League final that saw thousands attend in Erbil's Iskan street.

“We are grateful for everyone who trusts in AVA, for those who chose us, I tell them we will stay true to your trust,” Taha said. “Those who watch AVA and did not vote, I am sure they will vote for us next year, because we are a family oriented channel, we are a channel for all components.”