The new TV channel, Sakartvelo, was established under an agreement between the Georgian Defense Ministry and a private company, TV-33, that will run through 2010.
"We believe that at the current stage of intensive dialogue with NATO, Georgia should have a channel that will inform the public about the activity of the military-political bloc and the reform of the country's defense system," the official said.
He said Georgian authorities believe Sakartvelo's programming will help enhance the prestige of the Georgian Armed Forces.
The channel has yet to start full-scale broadcasting, and is currently airing mainly documentaries devoted to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration.
Since U.S.-educated President Mikheil Saakashvili came to power in the South Caucasus republic, it has been seeking to join NATO and the European Union and reduce its dependence on Russia, including in energy.
Georgia expects integration with NATO to help it restore control over its two breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and to replace Russian peacekeepers in the area with an international contingent.
Saakashvili said he hopes his country will acquire candidate status for NATO membership before the end of 2008.
