YANGON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A new private TV channel, Channel-K, was launched in Myanmar's commercial center of Yangon late Friday, adding to six the number of private TV channels allowed to operate during the incumbent government, the Ministry of Information said on Saturday.

Speaking at the Grand Launch of Channel-K held at Mya Kyun Thar Park, Minister of Information Pe Myint said the ministry is operating the state-run media, while also carrying out development of private media which include periodicals and TV channels.

He recalled that during the previous government era, only two private companies -- Shwe Than Lwin and Forever were allowed to operate, adding that the incumbent government took measures to grant permission to further private media.

Expressing delight over emergence of new TV channels, he said there would be competitions in the industry with some enjoying success, while some facing challenges.

However, he added that the competition conventionally drives improvement and development of quality TV programs for the people in the future.

Myanmar has had five official TV channels -- MRTV, Myawaddy, MRTV-4, Channel-7 and Sky Net as well as six FM lines broadcasting since the previous government.

The five private TV channels currently operating with the cooperation of the state-run MRTV as content providers for digital free-to-air TV channels in a multi-playout system of MRTV are Mizzima, DVB, Fortune, KMA and My Multi-Media.