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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> |
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{{Short description|Overview of television in Iran}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} |
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Television was first introduced to [[Iran]] in 1958, as a privately-owned and commercially-operated enterprise, before being nationalised, remaining a state-controlled monopoly, first of [[National Iranian Radio and Television]], and following the [[Iranian Revolution]] in 1979, of [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]]. |
Television was first introduced to [[Iran]] in 1958, as a privately-owned and commercially-operated enterprise, before being nationalised, remaining a state-controlled monopoly, first of [[National Iranian Radio and Television]], and following the [[Iranian Revolution]] in 1979, of [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]]. |
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[[File:MohammadReza Pahlavi visits television center of Habiblollah Sabet, There are also Hormoz Sabet, Naser Zolfaghari, Ali Mo'ayyed Sabeti, Nematollah Nasiri.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] with [[Habib Sabet]] on visit to television centre, June 1970]] |
[[File:MohammadReza Pahlavi visits television center of Habiblollah Sabet, There are also Hormoz Sabet, Naser Zolfaghari, Ali Mo'ayyed Sabeti, Nematollah Nasiri.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] with [[Habib Sabet]] on visit to television centre, June 1970]] |
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On October 3, 1958, Television Iran (TVI) was established, broadcasting from [[Tehran]].<ref name="Almanac92"/> A second station, based in [[Abadan]] in the south of the country, was established in 1960.<ref name="Almanac92">[https://books.google. |
On October 3, 1958, Television Iran (TVI) was established, broadcasting from [[Tehran]].<ref name="Almanac92"/> A second station, based in [[Abadan]] in the south of the country, was established in 1960.<ref name="Almanac92">[https://books.google.com/books?id=zOJtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Television+Iran%22+%22Abadan%22 ''Iran Almanac and Book of Facts''], Echo of Iran, 1992, page 238</ref> Its programming included [[Game show|quiz shows]] and American programmes [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] into [[Persian language|Persian]], and appealed to an unsophisticated audience.<ref name="Cam">[https://books.google.com/books?id=H20Xt157iYUC&dq=%22Television+Iran%22+%22dubbed%22&pg=PA811 ''The Cambridge History of Iran''], Volume 7, Cambridge University Press, 1989, pages 810–811</ref> |
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[[Habib Sabet]], a [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼí]] who was one of Iran's major industrialists, was the founder of the first television station.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/24/obituaries/habib-sabet-is-dead-an-iranian-altruist-and-industrialist-86.html Habib Sabet Is Dead; An Iranian Altruist And Industrialist], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 24, 1990, page 30</ref> The station manager was an American, A. Vance Hallack, who had previously operated the Baghdad Television Station in [[Iraq]].<ref>[https://books.google. |
[[Habib Sabet]], a [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼí]] who was one of Iran's major industrialists, was the founder of the first television station.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/24/obituaries/habib-sabet-is-dead-an-iranian-altruist-and-industrialist-86.html Habib Sabet Is Dead; An Iranian Altruist And Industrialist], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 24, 1990, page 30</ref> The station manager was an American, A. Vance Hallack, who had previously operated the Baghdad Television Station in [[Iraq]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=b6spAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Vance+Hallack%22 ''Journal of the Television Society''], Television Society, 1959, page 515</ref> Before coming to the Middle East, Hallack had managed [[NBC]]'s [[Colour television|colour]] division.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=th0rAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Vance+Hallack%22+%22Iran%22 ''Broadcasting''], Broadcasting Publications, page 77</ref> |
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At its launch, TVI had the sponsorship of numerous [[Blue chip (stock market)|blue chip]] Western companies, [[RCA]], [[General Tire]], [[Pepsi-Cola]], [[Autolite]], [[Squibb Corporation|Squibb]] and [[Volkswagen]], Sabet having opened the first Pepsi-Cola plant in Iran in 1955.<ref>[https://books.google. |
At its launch, TVI had the sponsorship of numerous [[Blue chip (stock market)|blue chip]] Western companies, [[RCA]], [[General Tire]], [[Pepsi-Cola]], [[Autolite]], [[Squibb Corporation|Squibb]] and [[Volkswagen]], Sabet having opened the first Pepsi-Cola plant in Iran in 1955.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=b6spAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Vance+Hallack%22 ''Newsweek''], Volume 55, 1960, page 198</ref> However, by 1963, it claimed to have lost 70 million [[Iranian rial|rial]]s, and its owners attempted to sell the station to the government, but by then it had already approved plans for its own television network.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HmUaAAAAMAAJ&q=%22AFRTS%22+ ''Regional Trade Directory: Iran-Pakistan-Turkey''], Madatali Karamali, 1968, page 83</ref> |
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===National Iranian Television=== |
===National Iranian Television=== |
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A separate network, National Iranian Television (NITV), was established in 1966.<ref>[https://books.google. |
A separate network, National Iranian Television (NITV), was established in 1966.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8jRuAAAAMAAJ&q=%221966%22 ''Basic Facts About Iran''], Ministry of Information, Publications Dept, 1973, page 110</ref> This catered for a more educated public.<ref name="Cam"/> On October 26, NITV transmitted its first broadcast message, a statement by the [[Mohammad Reza Shah|Shah]]; test programs were run, and complete programming commenced in [[Nowruz]], the Iranian New Year, in March 1967, with the first week's programs included the broadcasting of the Shah's birthday celebrations from [[Amjadieh Stadium]].<ref name="Small Media">[https://books.google.com/books?id=s1-r6XOP2CUC&dq=A%20Small%20Media%2C%20Big%20Revolution%3A%20Communication%2C%20Culture%2C%20and%20the%20Iranian%20Revolution&pg=PA66 ''A Small Media, Big Revolution: Communication, Culture, and the Iranian Revolution''], Annabelle Sreberny-Mohammadi, Ali Mohammadi, University of Minnesota Press, 1994, pages 66–67</ref> |
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===American Forces Radio and Television Service=== |
===American Forces Radio and Television Service=== |
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Until 1976, the [[American Forces Network|American Forces Radio and Television Service]] (AFRTS) broadcast a television service on Channel 7 in Tehran and the surrounding area from its studios in the city.<ref name="CommDev">[https://books.google. |
Until 1976, the [[American Forces Network|American Forces Radio and Television Service]] (AFRTS) broadcast a television service on Channel 7 in Tehran and the surrounding area from its studios in the city.<ref name="CommDev">[https://books.google.com/books?id=mg1RAQAAIAAJ&q=%22NIRT+International%22 ''Communications and Development Review''], Volume 1, Issues 1–4, Iran Communications and Development Institute, 1977</ref> |
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Catering for [[US Armed Forces]] personnel, this was known as AFTV, and was the only television service in the country then carrying programming in English, as all foreign programming on NITV and TVI, including American and British imports, was dubbed in Persian.<ref>[https://books.google. |
Catering for [[US Armed Forces]] personnel, this was known as AFTV, and was the only television service in the country then carrying programming in English, as all foreign programming on NITV and TVI, including American and British imports, was dubbed in Persian.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PjFKAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Persian%22 ''Journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers''], Volume 77, SMPTE, 1968, page 512</ref> In deference to Iranian sensitivities, AFRTS avoided carrying programming that might be construed as offensive on political or religious grounds, instead carrying cowboy or detective movies.<ref name="Zonis">[https://books.google.com/books?id=AG99BgAAQBAJ&q=%22AFRTS%22+&pg=PA247 ''Political Elite of Iran''], Marvin Zonis, Princeton University Press, 1976, page 247</ref> |
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However, in that year it was decided by the Iranian government that AFRTS should close down its radio and TV services, which it did on October 25.<ref name="Almanac">[https://books.google. |
However, in that year it was decided by the Iranian government that AFRTS should close down its radio and TV services, which it did on October 25.<ref name="Almanac">[https://books.google.com/books?id=9ybVAAAAMAAJ&q=%22NIRT%27s+new+international+services%22 ''Iran Almanac and Book of Facts''], Volume 16, Echo of Iran., 1977, page 125</ref> These would be replaced by similar services, operated by the state broadcaster.<ref name="Intermedia89"/> |
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===National Iranian Radio and Television=== |
===National Iranian Radio and Television=== |
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[[File:Daudkhan004.jpg|thumb|NIRT journalists presenting Iranian artists to President [[Mohammed Daoud Khan]] of Afghanistan in the 1970s.]] |
[[File:Daudkhan004.jpg|thumb|NIRT journalists presenting Iranian artists to President [[Mohammed Daoud Khan]] of Afghanistan in the 1970s.]] |
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In 1971, NITV was merged with [[Radio Iran]] to form a new broadcasting organisation, [[National Iranian Radio and Television]] (NIRT).<ref name="Almanac1974">[https://books.google. |
In 1971, NITV was merged with [[Radio Iran]] to form a new broadcasting organisation, [[National Iranian Radio and Television]] (NIRT).<ref name="Almanac1974">[https://books.google.com/books?id=FAggAQAAIAAJ&q=%2219+June+1971%22 ''Iran Almanac and Book of Facts''], Echo of Iran, 1974, page 129</ref> TVI, meanwhile, had been nationalised at the end of April 1969.<ref name="Almanac1969">[https://books.google.com/books?id=dxJIAAAAMAAJ&q=Habib+Sabet+TVI ''Iran Almanac and Book of Facts''], Echo of Iran, 1969, page 461</ref> By that time, the government had come to consider the privately-owned station a competitive threat, and bought out Sabet for the sum of 20 million [[Iranian toman|toman]], against his initial investment of 70 million toman, with the station's building being taken over by the new Educational Television service.<ref name="Small Media"/> |
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Prior to 1967, television had covered about 2.1 million people; when NIRT began regular transmissions that year, coverage rose to 4.8 million, and by 1974 had risen to over 15 million, roughly half the total population.<ref>[https://books.google. |
Prior to 1967, television had covered about 2.1 million people; when NIRT began regular transmissions that year, coverage rose to 4.8 million, and by 1974 had risen to over 15 million, roughly half the total population.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pfgKAQAAMAAJ&q=%222.1+million+to+4.8+million%22 ''Encyclopedia of International Media and Communications''], Volume 2, Academic Press, 2003, page 617</ref> The large budget allocations that were provided to NIRT, a reflection of the organisation's role in development, enabled it to use the latest technologies, including microwave delivery systems, to overcome problems of mountainous terrain.<ref name="Small Media"/> |
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By 1975–76, 70 percent of the population had television reception.<ref>[https://books.google. |
By 1975–76, 70 percent of the population had television reception.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=uQtrj-wdGcAC&q=%22NIRT%22 ''Iran: A Survey of U.S. Business Opportunities''], U.S. Department of Commerce, Domestic and International Business Administration, Bureau of International Commerce, 1977, page 60</ref> Before then, in 1973, NIRT had already established a total of 14 television production centres with 153 transmitters, covering approximately 88 cities and towns in Iran, accounting for 60 per cent of the population.<ref name="Intermedia73">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Og8dAQAAMAAJ&q=%22NIRT%22+ ''InterMedia''], International Broadcast Institute, 1973, page 17</ref> The following year, this had increased to fifteen, including two in [[Tehran]], as well as one each in the provincial cities of [[Abadan]], [[Ardebil]], [[Bandar Abbas]], [[Esfahan]], [[Kerman]], [[Kermanshah]], [[Shiraz]], [[Mahabad]], [[Mashad]], Rasht, [[Rezaiyeh]], [[Sanandaj]], [[Tabriz]] and [[Zahedan]].<ref name="Almanac1974"/> |
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Earlier, it had aimed for its first television network to reach 65 per cent of the population of Iran, with its second network reaching 50 per cent by the end of 1977, marking the end of the country's Fifth Development Plan.<ref>[https://books.google. |
Earlier, it had aimed for its first television network to reach 65 per cent of the population of Iran, with its second network reaching 50 per cent by the end of 1977, marking the end of the country's Fifth Development Plan.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=i0IaAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Second+Programme%22 ''CENTO Seminar on Management & Training in Television & Radio Broadcasting''], CENTO, 1975, page 25</ref> |
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By 1974, Iran was second only to Japan in Asia in terms of the development of its broadcasting capabilities.<ref name="Almanac1974"/> This prompted one Western commentator to argue in 1977 that "[if] Iran continues on its present path it will be the first nation in the world to have nationally spread television before a nationally spread press".<ref>[https://books.google. |
By 1974, Iran was second only to Japan in Asia in terms of the development of its broadcasting capabilities.<ref name="Almanac1974"/> This prompted one Western commentator to argue in 1977 that "[if] Iran continues on its present path it will be the first nation in the world to have nationally spread television before a nationally spread press".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=IbiSAgAAQBAJ&dq=Iran%20continues%20on%20its%20present%20path%20it%20will%20be%20the%20first%20nation%20in%20the%20world%20to%20have%20nationally%20spread%20television%20before%20a%20nationally%20spread%20press&pg=PA163 ''Iranian Media: The Paradox of Modernity''], [[Gholam Khiabany]], Routledge, Sep 2009, page 163</ref> |
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[[Colour television]] broadcasts first began in 1975, although reception was largely confined to affluent people who are able to afford colour sets.<ref>[https://books.google. |
[[Colour television]] broadcasts first began in 1975, although reception was largely confined to affluent people who are able to afford colour sets.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=DuZtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22color%22+ ''Revolution in Iran: The Politics of Countermobilization''], Jerrold D. Green, Holt McDougal, 1982, page 22</ref> Regular colour broadcasts were introduced in 1976.<ref name="EcoProfile">[https://books.google.com/books?id=aRa1AAAAIAAJ&q=%22color%22 ''Iran: An Economic Profile''], Jahangir Amuzegar, Middle East Institute, 1977, page 126</ref> The standard was changed to the French [[SECAM]] in February 1977, resulting in imported television sets becoming unusable.<ref name="Almanac">[https://books.google.com/books?id=9ybVAAAAMAAJ&q=%22NIRT%27s+new+international+services%22 ''Iran Almanac and Book of Facts''], Volume 16, Echo of Iran., 1977, page 125</ref> Although NIRT had the facilities to broadcast in colour, and used this when broadcasting the [[1974 Asian Games|Asian Games]] held in Tehran in 1974, full broadcasts in colour were delayed until 1978, on account of the ability of local manufacturers to meet the demand for colour sets.<ref name="Cam"></ref> |
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The first NIRT television network, known as the First Program, carried general content, of which only 33 per cent was imported, with the second network or Second Program aiming to show more educational and cultural content, of which 60 per cent of its content was imported.<ref name="Small Media"/> |
The first NIRT television network, known as the First Program, carried general content, of which only 33 per cent was imported, with the second network or Second Program aiming to show more educational and cultural content, of which 60 per cent of its content was imported.<ref name="Small Media"/> |
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Although the International Program carried some programming devoted to Iranian culture and education, its output remained broadly similar to that of the AFRTS service it had replaced, with nearly all imported programs from the United States.<ref name="Zonis">[https://books.google. |
Although the International Program carried some programming devoted to Iranian culture and education, its output remained broadly similar to that of the AFRTS service it had replaced, with nearly all imported programs from the United States.<ref name="Zonis">[https://books.google.com/books?id=AG99BgAAQBAJ&q=%22AFRTS%22+&pg=PA247 ''Political Elite of Iran''], Marvin Zonis, Princeton University Press, 1976, page 247</ref> Broadcast for eight and a half hours daily,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=JkRHAQAAIAAJ&q=%22NIRT%22++ ''Overseas Business Reports''], United States. Domestic and International Business Administration, United States. Industry and Trade Administration, page 15</ref> most programming was in English, with some films and programs in French and German.<ref name="Naficy">[https://books.google.com/books?id=CPtUfi3K_JYC&dq=%22NIRT%22+%22international+program%22+%22English%22&pg=PA66 ''A Social History of Iranian Cinema, Volume 2: The Industrializing Years, 1941–1978''], Hamid Naficy, Duke University Press, 2011, page 66</ref> This appealed to the 60 000 [[US Army]] and civilian personnel then stationed in Iran, as well as the wider population of foreign nationals resident in the country.<ref name="Intermedia89">[https://books.google.com/books?id=aiO4AAAAIAAJ&q=%22NIRT%27s+budget%22 ''Intermedia''], Volume 17, International Institute of Communications, 1989, page 37</ref> |
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===Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting=== |
===Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting=== |
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After the [[1979 |
After the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 revolution]], NIRT was renamed as صدا و سيمای جمهوری اسلامی ايران ''Seda va Sima-ye Jomhouri-e Eslami-ye Iran'' ("Voice and Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran"), known in English as [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]] (IRIB), and under the new Constitution of the Islamic Republic, radio and television were to be "aligned with the course of perfection of the Islamic Revolution and served the promotion of Islamic culture, and to this end benefit from the healthy collision of different ideas and strictly avoid spreading and propagating destructive and anti-Islamic tenets".<ref name="Shahidi2007p95">[https://books.google.com/books?id=MLLywtI-_n0C&pg=PA95 ''Journalism in Iran: From Mission to Profession ''], Hossein Shahidi, Routledge, 2007, page 95</ref> |
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In 1998, Iran changed from using [[SECAM]] to the [[PAL]] system developed in (Germany), and also used in the United Kingdom.<ref>[https://books.google. |
In 1998, Iran changed from using [[SECAM]] to the [[PAL]] system developed in (Germany), and also used in the United Kingdom.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jdAmAQAAMAAJ&q=%221998%22+%22Iran%22+%22PAL%22+%22SECAM%22 ''Iran Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Islamic Republic''], Volume 1, page 85</ref> |
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==Satellite television== |
==Satellite television== |
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As a result of IRIB's monopoly and censorship, satellite television channels, most notably [[Persian language]] ones based in Europe and North America, have gained popularity in Iran.<ref name="TPP">[https://books.google. |
As a result of IRIB's monopoly and censorship, satellite television channels, most notably [[Persian language]] ones based in Europe and North America, have gained popularity in Iran.<ref name="TPP">[https://books.google.com/books?id=2KKPAgAAQBAJ&dq=Iran+revolution+censorship+television+irib&pg=PA297 ''Television and Public Policy: Change and Continuity in an Era of Global Liberalization''], David Ward, Routledge, 2009, page 297</ref> This was despite the passing of a law in 1994 under which the use and ownership of satellite dishes was banned.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/27/world/iran-prohibits-satellite-dishes-to-bar-us-tv.html Iran Prohibits Satellite Dishes To Bar U.S. TV], ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 27, 1994, page 6</ref> However, the research centre of IRIB estimates that they were used by up to 70 per cent of Iranian households.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iran: Regime admits over 40% Iranians view satellite TV despite crackdown|date=August 28, 2013 |url=http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-resistance/14464-iran-regime-admit-over-40-iranians-view-satellite-tv-despite-crackdown|publisher=NCRI|accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> |
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Despite being repeatedly jammed, the [[BBC Persian]] channel had a weekly audience of 7.2 million in 2011.<ref name=bbcguard>{{cite web|title=BBC Persian audience doubles to 6m|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/feb/29/bbc-persian-audience-doubles|work=The Guardian|date=February 29, 2012 |accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> [[GEM TV]] is one of the most popular satellite channels in Iran. Based in [[Dubai]], it is broadcast illegally into the country.<ref name=sodnyt>{{cite news|title=Soap Opera's Disappearance Adds to TV Drama in Iran|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/world/middleeast/soap-operas-disappearance-adds-to-tv-drama-in-iran.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 15, 2013 |accessdate=November 17, 2013|last1=Erdbrink |first1=Thomas }}</ref> [[Farsi1]], a satellite channel part owned by [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] broadcasting mostly comedies and dramas from other Asian countries and Latin America, is one of the most popular stations in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV Channel, Part Owned by Murdoch, Draws Threats in Iran|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/middleeast/20afghan.html|work=The New York Times|date=November 20, 2010 |accessdate=November 17, 2013|last1=Filkins |first1=Dexter }}</ref> |
Despite being repeatedly jammed, the [[BBC Persian]] channel had a weekly audience of 7.2 million in 2011.<ref name=bbcguard>{{cite web|title=BBC Persian audience doubles to 6m|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/feb/29/bbc-persian-audience-doubles|work=The Guardian|date=February 29, 2012 |accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> [[GEM TV]] is one of the most popular satellite channels in Iran. Based in [[Dubai]], it is broadcast illegally into the country.<ref name=sodnyt>{{cite news|title=Soap Opera's Disappearance Adds to TV Drama in Iran|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/world/middleeast/soap-operas-disappearance-adds-to-tv-drama-in-iran.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 15, 2013 |accessdate=November 17, 2013|last1=Erdbrink |first1=Thomas }}</ref> [[Farsi1]], a satellite channel part owned by [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] broadcasting mostly comedies and dramas from other Asian countries and Latin America, is one of the most popular stations in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV Channel, Part Owned by Murdoch, Draws Threats in Iran|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/middleeast/20afghan.html|work=The New York Times|date=November 20, 2010 |accessdate=November 17, 2013|last1=Filkins |first1=Dexter }}</ref> |
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== Satellite |
== Satellite television channels == |
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* [[BBC Persian]] |
* [[BBC Persian]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Iran International]] (HD and SD) |
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* [[Voice of America Persian News Network|VOA Persian]] |
* [[Voice of America Persian News Network|VOA Persian]] |
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* [[MBC Persia]] |
* [[MBC Persia]] |
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* [[Radio Farda]] |
* [[Radio Farda]] |
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* [[FX (TV channel)|FX HD]] |
* [[FX (TV channel)|FX HD]] |
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* [[Sci- |
* [[Sci-Fi (tv channel)|Sci-Fi]] |
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* [[GEM TV]] |
* [[GEM TV]] |
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* GEM tv+HD |
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* GEM SERIES |
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* GEM SERIES+ (HD) |
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* GEM JUNIOR |
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* GEM KIDS |
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* GEM DRAMA |
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* GEM DRAMA+ (HD) |
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* GEM BOLLYWOOD |
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* GEM FOOD |
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* GEM FIT |
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* GEM LIFE |
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* GEM TRAVEL |
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* GEM CLASSIC |
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* GEM COMEDY |
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* GEM FILM |
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* GEM AZ |
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* GEM ARABIA |
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* GEM NATURE |
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* [[اونیکس (کانال تلویزیونی)|ONIX]] |
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* Rubix |
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* Rubix+HD |
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* River |
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* River+HD |
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* MAXX |
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* MIFA |
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* MIFA+HD |
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* 24Best |
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* [[Manoto]] |
* [[Manoto]] |
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* English Club |
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* Manoto+1 |
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* Manoto+2 |
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* [[24box]] |
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* Petsiana Family |
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* Persiana Junior |
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* Persiana entertainment |
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* Persiana technology |
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* [[English Club TV|English Club]] |
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* [[Persian Broadcasting Company|Tapesh TV]] |
* [[Persian Broadcasting Company|Tapesh TV]] |
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* [[تی۲|T2]] |
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* [[T2 Movie]] |
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* [[Pen tv|PEN TV]] |
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* [[Iran TV Network (Canada)|ITN]] |
* [[Iran TV Network (Canada)|ITN]] |
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* IRAN Ariaei |
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* [[Khatereh]] |
* [[Khatereh]] |
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* Khaneh Honarmandan |
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* [[PMC (TV channel)|PMC]] |
* [[PMC (TV channel)|PMC]] |
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* [[HodHod TV|Hod Hod]] |
* [[HodHod TV|Hod Hod]] |
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* [[SAT-7|Sat7pars]] |
* [[SAT-7|Sat7pars]] |
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* [[Iran Fara Bourse|Iran Farda]] |
* [[Iran Fara Bourse|Iran Farda]] |
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* English Club |
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* [[Radio javan|Radio Javan]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Simaye Azadi]] |
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* Iran B marz |
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* Touhid |
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* Emam Hoesin |
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* Iran Beauty |
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* [[English Club TV|English Club]] |
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* Cine film |
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* Cine series |
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* itoon |
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*'''Disconnected channels:''' |
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*[[Farsi1]] |
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*[[Zemzemeh]] |
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*[[AAAP family|AAA family]] |
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*AAA Music |
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*Persian Toon |
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*[[National Geographic Farsi|Nat Geo Farsi]] |
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*[[Extreme sport]] |
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*[[Home & Health|Home & health]] |
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*[[Manoto2]] |
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*GEM DOCUMENTARY |
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*GEM LANGUAGE |
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*GEM FARM |
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*GEM MOVIE |
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*GEM FASHION |
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*GEM SPORT |
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*GEM YOUTH |
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*GEM KOREA |
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*King TV |
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*Salamat tube |
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== |
===Defunct television channels=== |
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* [[Farsi1]] |
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* [[Zemzemeh]] |
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* [[National Geographic Farsi|Nat Geo Farsi]] |
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== State-owned television channels == |
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* [[IRIB TV1]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB TV1]] (DVB-T) |
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* [[IRIB TV2]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB TV2]] (DVB-T) |
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* [[IRIB Quran]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Quran]] (DVB-T) |
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* [[IRIB Amoozesh]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Amoozesh]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[ |
* [[Islamic Republic of Iran News Network|IRINN]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[IRIB Namayesh]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Namayesh]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[IRIB Shoma]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Shoma]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[IRIB Nahal]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Pooya & Nahal|Pooya/Nahal]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[IRIB Pooya & Nahal|Pooya]] (DVB-T) |
|||
* [[IRIB Omid]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Omid]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[IRIB Tamasha]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Tamasha]] (DVB-T) |
||
* [[IRIB Mostanad]] (DVB-T) |
* [[IRIB Mostanad]] (DVB-T & [[Thaicom 8]][https://www.lyngsat.com/muxes/Thaicom-8_beam_11186-H.html]) |
||
* [[IRIB Ofogh]] |
* [[IRIB Ofogh]] |
||
* [[ |
* [[IRIB Varzesh]] |
||
* [[iFilm (TV channel)|iFilm]] |
|||
* [[Press TV]] (بین المللی) |
|||
* [[HispanTV |
* [[HispanTV]] |
||
* [[Press TV]] |
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* Al Kousar |
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==Most viewed channels== |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%" |
|||
|- |
|||
! Position !! Channel !! Share of total viewing (%) |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1 || [[MBC Persia]] || 4.8 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 2 || [[GEM TV]] || 4.2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 3 || [[Manoto]] || 3.7 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 4 || [[IRIB TV3]] || 3.1 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 5 || [[BBC Persian]] || 2.2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 6 || [[IRIB TV1]] || 2.1 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 7 || [[Voice of America Persian News Network|VOA Persian TV]] || 1.5 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 8 || [[Iran International]] || 1.0 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 9 || [[GEM TV|GEM DRAMA]] || 0.7 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 10 || [[IRIB TV2]] || 0.3 |
|||
|} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
||
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[[Category:Television in Iran| ]] |
[[Category:Television in Iran| ]] |
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[[Category:Television by country|Iran]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:13, 3 July 2024
Television was first introduced to Iran in 1958, as a privately-owned and commercially-operated enterprise, before being nationalised, remaining a state-controlled monopoly, first of National Iranian Radio and Television, and following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.
History
[edit]Television Iran
[edit]
On October 3, 1958, Television Iran (TVI) was established, broadcasting from Tehran.[1] A second station, based in Abadan in the south of the country, was established in 1960.[1] Its programming included quiz shows and American programmes dubbed into Persian, and appealed to an unsophisticated audience.[2]
Habib Sabet, a Baháʼí who was one of Iran's major industrialists, was the founder of the first television station.[3] The station manager was an American, A. Vance Hallack, who had previously operated the Baghdad Television Station in Iraq.[4] Before coming to the Middle East, Hallack had managed NBC's colour division.[5]
At its launch, TVI had the sponsorship of numerous blue chip Western companies, RCA, General Tire, Pepsi-Cola, Autolite, Squibb and Volkswagen, Sabet having opened the first Pepsi-Cola plant in Iran in 1955.[6] However, by 1963, it claimed to have lost 70 million rials, and its owners attempted to sell the station to the government, but by then it had already approved plans for its own television network.[7]
National Iranian Television
[edit]A separate network, National Iranian Television (NITV), was established in 1966.[8] This catered for a more educated public.[2] On October 26, NITV transmitted its first broadcast message, a statement by the Shah; test programs were run, and complete programming commenced in Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, in March 1967, with the first week's programs included the broadcasting of the Shah's birthday celebrations from Amjadieh Stadium.[9]
American Forces Radio and Television Service
[edit]Until 1976, the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) broadcast a television service on Channel 7 in Tehran and the surrounding area from its studios in the city.[10]
Catering for US Armed Forces personnel, this was known as AFTV, and was the only television service in the country then carrying programming in English, as all foreign programming on NITV and TVI, including American and British imports, was dubbed in Persian.[11] In deference to Iranian sensitivities, AFRTS avoided carrying programming that might be construed as offensive on political or religious grounds, instead carrying cowboy or detective movies.[12]
However, in that year it was decided by the Iranian government that AFRTS should close down its radio and TV services, which it did on October 25.[13] These would be replaced by similar services, operated by the state broadcaster.[14]
National Iranian Radio and Television
[edit]
In 1971, NITV was merged with Radio Iran to form a new broadcasting organisation, National Iranian Radio and Television (NIRT).[15] TVI, meanwhile, had been nationalised at the end of April 1969.[16] By that time, the government had come to consider the privately-owned station a competitive threat, and bought out Sabet for the sum of 20 million toman, against his initial investment of 70 million toman, with the station's building being taken over by the new Educational Television service.[9]
Prior to 1967, television had covered about 2.1 million people; when NIRT began regular transmissions that year, coverage rose to 4.8 million, and by 1974 had risen to over 15 million, roughly half the total population.[17] The large budget allocations that were provided to NIRT, a reflection of the organisation's role in development, enabled it to use the latest technologies, including microwave delivery systems, to overcome problems of mountainous terrain.[9]
By 1975–76, 70 percent of the population had television reception.[18] Before then, in 1973, NIRT had already established a total of 14 television production centres with 153 transmitters, covering approximately 88 cities and towns in Iran, accounting for 60 per cent of the population.[19] The following year, this had increased to fifteen, including two in Tehran, as well as one each in the provincial cities of Abadan, Ardebil, Bandar Abbas, Esfahan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Shiraz, Mahabad, Mashad, Rasht, Rezaiyeh, Sanandaj, Tabriz and Zahedan.[15]
Earlier, it had aimed for its first television network to reach 65 per cent of the population of Iran, with its second network reaching 50 per cent by the end of 1977, marking the end of the country's Fifth Development Plan.[20]
By 1974, Iran was second only to Japan in Asia in terms of the development of its broadcasting capabilities.[15] This prompted one Western commentator to argue in 1977 that "[if] Iran continues on its present path it will be the first nation in the world to have nationally spread television before a nationally spread press".[21]
Colour television broadcasts first began in 1975, although reception was largely confined to affluent people who are able to afford colour sets.[22] Regular colour broadcasts were introduced in 1976.[23] The standard was changed to the French SECAM in February 1977, resulting in imported television sets becoming unusable.[13] Although NIRT had the facilities to broadcast in colour, and used this when broadcasting the Asian Games held in Tehran in 1974, full broadcasts in colour were delayed until 1978, on account of the ability of local manufacturers to meet the demand for colour sets.[2]
The first NIRT television network, known as the First Program, carried general content, of which only 33 per cent was imported, with the second network or Second Program aiming to show more educational and cultural content, of which 60 per cent of its content was imported.[9]
Although the International Program carried some programming devoted to Iranian culture and education, its output remained broadly similar to that of the AFRTS service it had replaced, with nearly all imported programs from the United States.[12] Broadcast for eight and a half hours daily,[24] most programming was in English, with some films and programs in French and German.[25] This appealed to the 60 000 US Army and civilian personnel then stationed in Iran, as well as the wider population of foreign nationals resident in the country.[14]
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
[edit]After the 1979 revolution, NIRT was renamed as صدا و سيمای جمهوری اسلامی ايران Seda va Sima-ye Jomhouri-e Eslami-ye Iran ("Voice and Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran"), known in English as Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), and under the new Constitution of the Islamic Republic, radio and television were to be "aligned with the course of perfection of the Islamic Revolution and served the promotion of Islamic culture, and to this end benefit from the healthy collision of different ideas and strictly avoid spreading and propagating destructive and anti-Islamic tenets".[26]
In 1998, Iran changed from using SECAM to the PAL system developed in (Germany), and also used in the United Kingdom.[27]
Satellite television
[edit]As a result of IRIB's monopoly and censorship, satellite television channels, most notably Persian language ones based in Europe and North America, have gained popularity in Iran.[28] This was despite the passing of a law in 1994 under which the use and ownership of satellite dishes was banned.[29] However, the research centre of IRIB estimates that they were used by up to 70 per cent of Iranian households.[30]
Despite being repeatedly jammed, the BBC Persian channel had a weekly audience of 7.2 million in 2011.[31] GEM TV is one of the most popular satellite channels in Iran. Based in Dubai, it is broadcast illegally into the country.[32] Farsi1, a satellite channel part owned by News Corporation broadcasting mostly comedies and dramas from other Asian countries and Latin America, is one of the most popular stations in the country.[33]
Satellite television channels
[edit]- BBC Persian
- Iran International (HD and SD)
- VOA Persian
- MBC Persia
- Radio Farda
- FX HD
- Sci-Fi
- GEM TV
- Manoto
- English Club
- Tapesh TV
- ITN
- Khatereh
- PMC
- Hod Hod
- Kalameh
- Sat7pars
- Iran Farda
- English Club
- Simaye Azadi
Defunct television channels
[edit]State-owned television channels
[edit]- IRIB TV1 (DVB-T)
- IRIB TV2 (DVB-T)
- IRIB TV3 (DVB-T)
- IRIB TV4 (DVB-T)
- IRIB TV5 (DVB-T)
- IRIB Quran (DVB-T)
- IRIB Amoozesh (DVB-T)
- IRINN (DVB-T)
- IRIB Namayesh (DVB-T)
- IRIB Shoma (DVB-T)
- Pooya/Nahal (DVB-T)
- IRIB Omid (DVB-T)
- IRIB Tamasha (DVB-T)
- IRIB Mostanad (DVB-T & Thaicom 8[1])
- IRIB Ofogh
- IRIB Varzesh
- iFilm
- HispanTV
- Press TV
Most viewed channels
[edit]| Position | Channel | Share of total viewing (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MBC Persia | 4.8 |
| 2 | GEM TV | 4.2 |
| 3 | Manoto | 3.7 |
| 4 | IRIB TV3 | 3.1 |
| 5 | BBC Persian | 2.2 |
| 6 | IRIB TV1 | 2.1 |
| 7 | VOA Persian TV | 1.5 |
| 8 | Iran International | 1.0 |
| 9 | GEM DRAMA | 0.7 |
| 10 | IRIB TV2 | 0.3 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Iran Almanac and Book of Facts, Echo of Iran, 1992, page 238
- ^ a b c The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 7, Cambridge University Press, 1989, pages 810–811
- ^ Habib Sabet Is Dead; An Iranian Altruist And Industrialist, The New York Times, February 24, 1990, page 30
- ^ Journal of the Television Society, Television Society, 1959, page 515
- ^ Broadcasting, Broadcasting Publications, page 77
- ^ Newsweek, Volume 55, 1960, page 198
- ^ Regional Trade Directory: Iran-Pakistan-Turkey, Madatali Karamali, 1968, page 83
- ^ Basic Facts About Iran, Ministry of Information, Publications Dept, 1973, page 110
- ^ a b c d A Small Media, Big Revolution: Communication, Culture, and the Iranian Revolution, Annabelle Sreberny-Mohammadi, Ali Mohammadi, University of Minnesota Press, 1994, pages 66–67
- ^ Communications and Development Review, Volume 1, Issues 1–4, Iran Communications and Development Institute, 1977
- ^ Journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Volume 77, SMPTE, 1968, page 512
- ^ a b Political Elite of Iran, Marvin Zonis, Princeton University Press, 1976, page 247
- ^ a b Iran Almanac and Book of Facts, Volume 16, Echo of Iran., 1977, page 125
- ^ a b Intermedia, Volume 17, International Institute of Communications, 1989, page 37
- ^ a b c Iran Almanac and Book of Facts, Echo of Iran, 1974, page 129
- ^ Iran Almanac and Book of Facts, Echo of Iran, 1969, page 461
- ^ Encyclopedia of International Media and Communications, Volume 2, Academic Press, 2003, page 617
- ^ Iran: A Survey of U.S. Business Opportunities, U.S. Department of Commerce, Domestic and International Business Administration, Bureau of International Commerce, 1977, page 60
- ^ InterMedia, International Broadcast Institute, 1973, page 17
- ^ CENTO Seminar on Management & Training in Television & Radio Broadcasting, CENTO, 1975, page 25
- ^ Iranian Media: The Paradox of Modernity, Gholam Khiabany, Routledge, Sep 2009, page 163
- ^ Revolution in Iran: The Politics of Countermobilization, Jerrold D. Green, Holt McDougal, 1982, page 22
- ^ Iran: An Economic Profile, Jahangir Amuzegar, Middle East Institute, 1977, page 126
- ^ Overseas Business Reports, United States. Domestic and International Business Administration, United States. Industry and Trade Administration, page 15
- ^ A Social History of Iranian Cinema, Volume 2: The Industrializing Years, 1941–1978, Hamid Naficy, Duke University Press, 2011, page 66
- ^ Journalism in Iran: From Mission to Profession , Hossein Shahidi, Routledge, 2007, page 95
- ^ Iran Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Islamic Republic, Volume 1, page 85
- ^ Television and Public Policy: Change and Continuity in an Era of Global Liberalization, David Ward, Routledge, 2009, page 297
- ^ Iran Prohibits Satellite Dishes To Bar U.S. TV, The New York Times, December 27, 1994, page 6
- ^ "Iran: Regime admits over 40% Iranians view satellite TV despite crackdown". NCRI. August 28, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ^ "BBC Persian audience doubles to 6m". The Guardian. February 29, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ^ Erdbrink, Thomas (January 15, 2013). "Soap Opera's Disappearance Adds to TV Drama in Iran". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ^ Filkins, Dexter (November 20, 2010). "TV Channel, Part Owned by Murdoch, Draws Threats in Iran". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
Television in Asia | |
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| Sovereign states |
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| States with limited recognition | |
| Dependencies and other territories | |