Ariana Television Network
 | This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (January 2025) |
 | |
| Country | Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Worldwide |
| Headquarters | Kabul |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Dari , Pashto |
| Picture format | HDTV 1080i |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Ehsan Bayat |
| Sister channels | Ariana News, Ariana FM 93.5 |
| History | |
| Launched | August 17, 2005 |
| Links | |
| Website | www.arianatelevision.com www.ariana.fm |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Normal antenna | 46 UHF (Kabul) 49 UHF (Kandahar) 55 UHF (Herat) 51 UHF (Mazar-i-Sharif) 52 UHF (Kunduz) 47 UHF (Jalalabad) 45 UHF (Taloqan) 53 UHF (Puli Khumri) 49 UHF (Ghazni) 55 UHF (Khost) |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s) | TV, Radio, Digital |
Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) (Dari/Pashto: شبکه رادیو تلویزیون آریانا) is a private television network based in Kabul, Afghanistan. The channel was launched in 2005[1] by Afghan-American 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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History
[edit]ATN was launched on 17 August 2005 as a private television and radio network based in Kabul, Afghanistan.[2] 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.[3]
In 2006, the network began broadcasting internationally.[4] In 2014, ATN underwent rebranding and expanded its operations with the launch of its sister channel, Ariana News. The network provides programming that includes international arts and culture and offers a platform for Afghan writers, producers, actors, and directors.[citation needed]
After the Taliban captured Kabul, home to ATN headquarters, the network struggled under the introduction of repressive policies.[5] 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 in the year, but Taliban intelligence officers directed executives to impose strict dress codes on female employees and segregate male and female employees into separate workspaces.[6] Female employees were eventually barred from presenting, and subsequent administrative decrees have restricted women's movement and access to public spaces.[7]
Taliban authorities continued to impose harsh restrictions on the network, with reports of violence against journalists frequently emerging.[8] Sharif Hassanyar, head of the network since its inception, was forced to flee Afghanistan amid Taliban threats against media personnel. In August and September of 2021, Hassanyar had directed employees inside of 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.[9] 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.[10] 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."[11][12]
Frequency
[edit]| 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 | |
Programming
[edit]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
[edit]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:
- FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014
- FIFA World Cup Russia 2018
- FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Paris 2024 Olympic Games (2024)
- 2024 World Judo Juniors Championships
- World Rally-Raid Championship
- IJF World Tour
- 2024 Abu Dhabi T10
- 2025 International League T20
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
- 2025 Indian Premier League
Reality TV programming
[edit]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
[edit]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
Partnerships and collaborations
[edit]ATN has established partnerships with global organisations such as FIFA, ICC, IOC, BCCI, ACB, AFF, STAR India, and others.[13][14]
Social responsibility and workforce
[edit]The network has run several public service campaigns on 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. These initiatives attempt to address social issues and promote awareness of topics affecting Afghan society.[15]
Awards and achievements
[edit]
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Asiavision Monthly Award for October 2023
[edit]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.[16][17]
ABU Asiavision Awards 2024 - Jury Prize
[edit]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.[citation needed]
ABU Diversity and Inclusion Media Awards 2024
[edit]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.[18]
Network infrastructure
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ antaranews.com (2013-01-21). "Farhad Darya, Valy Hedjazi, Aryana Sayeed, and Shabana Meheryar Headline Star Performers at the 7th Annual ATN Awards to". Antara News. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ^ "About Us | Ariana Television". 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Ariana FM". Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Ariana Television Network". 02d15fd.netsolhost.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Rahmani, Waliullah (2022-08-11). "Inside an Afghan news network's struggle to survive". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
- ^ Rahmani, Waliullah (2022-08-11). "Inside an Afghan news network's struggle to survive". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ George, Susannah (2022-05-07). "Taliban orders head-to-toe coverings for Afghan women in public". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ Rahmani, Waliullah (2022-08-11). "Inside an Afghan news network's struggle to survive". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "Afghan Media Blasts Ghani For Skipping Live TV Debate". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
- ^ Greger, Mats With (2022-02-01). "To afghanske journalister arrestert av Taliban: – Dette er ingen arrestasjon, men en kidnapping". www.journalisten.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2025-02-07.
- ^ RFE/RL. "Taliban Reportedly Releases Two Kabul Journalists Held For Unknown Reasons". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
- ^ "Taliban Free 2 Afghan Journalists After International Outcry". Voice of America. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
- ^ ABU's ATN page
- ^ ICC Cricket World Cup official broadcasters
- ^ Modern Slavery - An in-depth look at how this crime affects the people of Afghanistan
- ^ Voice of Afghan. "ATN wins Asiavision Monthly Award for quake coverage"
- ^ Pasifika TV. "Asia Vision Awards 2024 celebrate the best of ABU's international news exchange"
- ^ "ATN and Ariana News honored with two prestigious Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union awards | Ariana News". 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
