TRT Avaz was launched on 21 March 2009, in Nevruz Day.

The channel's name was announced by President Abdullah Gül as "AVAZ", a word that means "Voice" in many different central Asian languages, and will broadcast in a vast geography including the Balkans, Central Asia, Middle East and the Caucasus.

Programs will be broadcasted in Azeri, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Turkmen languages. Turkish subtitles will also be available.

The channel will reach up to 250 million people in 27 countries and 13 autonomous regions; some of which are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Georgia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Bulgaria, Greece, Balkan countries, Eastern Europe and Uyghur Autonomous Region. Unfortunately this channal is blocked in Uyghur Autonomous Region or East Turkistan by the Chinese Authorities. Documentaries, culture and music programs as well as local films and serials will be televised. Audiences will also have the opportunity to learn Turkish through tutorials. Thanks to the channel, Turkick speaking people will gather at a new platform.

Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev (Azerbaijani: İlham Heydər oğlu Əliyev, born 24 December 1961, Baku) is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee. Apart from his native Azerbaijani, he speaks Turkish, English, French and Russian. Ilham Aliyev is the son of Heydar Aliyev, who was Azerbaijan's president from 1993-2003.

In 1977 Aliyev entered the Moscow State University of International Relations (MSUIR) and in 1982 continued his education as a postgraduate. In 1985 he received a PhD degree in history. From 1985-1990 Aliyev lectured at MSUIR.

In May 1994, Ilham Aliyev was appointed vice-president of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). He participated as one of the key figures during the negotiations between Azerbaijani government and Western oil companies during the conclusion of new contracts now known as Contract of the century. The following year Aliyev was elected to the National Assembly of Azerbaijan and later became president of the National Olympic Committee (still incumbent) and head of the Azerbaijan delegation to the Council of Europe. In August 2003, two months prior to the presidential elections, he was appointed prime minister. In October, Heydar Aliyev, suffering failing health, stepped down as president and in a controversial move, appointed his son, an independent candidate, as his party's sole presidential candidate.