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Ariana Television Network

Private Afghan television network From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ariana Television Network
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Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) (Dari/Pashto: شبکه رادیو تلویزیون آریانا) is a private television network and radio broadcaster based in Kabul, Afghanistan. The channel was launched in 2005[1] by Ehsan Bayat, owner of Afghan Wireless. ATN began broadcasting internationally in 2006 and offers coverage in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

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Broadcasts

Just like other television, networks it broadcasts a wide range of shows, including documentaries, cartoons, sports matches and news.[2]

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Bayat Media Center located in Kabul, Afghanistan
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Ariana Television and Ariana FM Coverage Map across the country

History

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ATN was launched on 17 August 2005 as a private television and radio network based in Kabul, Afghanistan.[3] Ariana FM 93.5, the network's radio station, broadcasts in the Dari and Pashto languages and operates 24 hours a day. Ariana FM also offers a livestream option, which allows audiences to listen to programs on the radio, online, and through mobile applications.[4]

In 2006, the network began broadcasting internationally.[5] In 2014, ATN underwent rebranding and expanded its operations with the launch of its sister channel, Ariana News.

After the Taliban captured Kabul in August 2021, home to ATN headquarters, the network struggled under the introduction of repressive policies.[6] While many women employed by the network resigned of their own accord soon after the capture, others at ATN were asked to resign under the Taliban's pressure. Some female employees of Ariana News were able to continue broadcasting on-air until later that year, but Taliban intelligence officers directed executives to impose strict dress codes on female employees and segregate male and female employees into separate workspaces.[7] Female employees were eventually barred from presenting, and subsequent administrative decrees have restricted women's movement and access to public spaces.[8]

Taliban authorities continued to impose restrictions on the network, with reports of violence against journalists frequently emerging.[9] Sharif Hassanyar, head of the network since its inception, fleed Afghanistan amid Taliban threats against media personnel. In August and September of 2021, Hassanyar had directed employees inside the network to broadcast events such as protests against the Taliban, but the Taliban threatened to shut down the network if they did not cease.[10] This led him to resign on September 10, 2021. Other managers attempted to follow but faced arrests and forced resignations by the Taliban in the months following.[11] Due to this pressure, female employees were barred from presenting. Hassanyar later established the Afghanistan Freedom of Speech Hub, an advocacy group for press freedom.[citation needed]

In 2022, the Taliban captured two Kabul-based ATN journalists, Waris Hasrat and Aslam Ejab, detaining them for "unknown reasons." Sharif Hassanyar, former head of the network, released a statement on Twitter, saying "Finally TB [Taliban] release Aslam Ejab and Waris Hasrat. They were in detention for TB for two nights."[12][13]

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Frequency

Ariana Television Network (ATN) © LyngSat

https://www.lyngsat.com/tvchannels/af/Ariana-TV-Network.html

Position Satellite Beam

EIRP (dBW)

 Frequency System SR

FEC

 Video Lang. Source
52.5°E Al Yah 1 East

51-52

 11938 H DVB-S2

8PSK

 27500

3/4

 MPEG-4

HD 1080

 Persian & Pashto N Stanislav

240131

52.5°E Al Yah 1 East

51-52

 12015 H DVB-S2

8PSK

 27500

3/4

 MPEG-4

HD 1080

 Persian & Pashto N Stanislav

210623

52.5°E Al Yah 1 MENA

0

 12054 H DVB-S2

8PSK

 27500

3/4

 MPEG-4

HD 1080

 Persian & Pashto N Stanislav

250210

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ICC World Cup Trophy, 7 September 2023

Programming

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The network's programming includes educational, health, sports, cultural, news, documentary, magazine shows, talk shows, social, cooking shows, game shows, and children's content.[citation needed]

Sports programming

ATN broadcasts sports coverage, including the Olympic games, football, and cricket, in collaboration with organizations such as FIFA, the International Cricket Council (ICC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), and STAR India.

Sports events that were broadcast by ATN include:

Reality TV programming

ATN broadcast Chand Sitara, a reality television program patterned after American Idol but dedicated to Afghan music. "Chand Sitara" translates to "How Many Stars?" The program consists of music videos submitted to the show by musicians. People then call in or email how many stars the song deserves and the winner is displayed a week later. The program is hosted by Naim Arzo and Omar Bakhtari (aka DJ Mast).[citation needed]

Local production

ATN broadcasts several live in-house production programs, such as

  • Sobho Zindagi (Live morning show)
  • Ariana News 6PM Pashto Bulletin
  • Ariana News 8PM Dari Bulletin
  • Ariana News 10PM Bulletin
  • Falah Islamic Program
  • Saar - Panel Discussion
  • Tahawol - Panel Discussion
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Partnerships and collaborations

ATN has established partnerships with global organizations such as FIFA, ICC, IOC, BCCI, ACB, AFF, STAR India, and others.[14][15]

Social responsibility and workforce

The network has run several public service campaigns relating to Afghan social issues, covering topics such as diabetes, environmental conservation, equal rights for men and women, education, anti-smoking/anti-drug initiatives, ending modern slavery (including forced labor, child slavery, forced and early marriage, debt slavery, and human trafficking), early childhood brain development, and COVID-19 awareness.[16]

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Awards and achievements

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Ariana Television Network (ATN) received the Asiavision Monthly Award for October 2023 for breaking news coverage.

Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Asiavision Monthly Award for October 2023

Ariana Television Network (ATN) received the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Asiavision Monthly Award for October 2023. The award highlights notable news stories and fosters collaboration among ABU member organizations.[17][18]

ABU Asiavision Awards 2024 - Jury Prize

Ariana Television and Ariana News were awarded the Jury Prize at the 2024 ABU Asiavision Awards for their coverage of Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan.[19]

ABU Diversity and Inclusion Media Awards 2024

Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) won the ABU Diversity and Inclusion Media Award in 2024, recognizing its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in media.[20]

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Network infrastructure

ATN maintains a broadcast infrastructure that ensures access to its content across Afghanistan. The network's terrestrial and satellite coverage provides nationwide access and extends to parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. The Bayat Media Center (ATN's headquarters) in Kabul houses facilities for content production and broadcasting.

See also

References

External links

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