Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) (

Dari Dari (; endonym: ), Dari Persian (, , or , ), or Eastern Persian is the variety of the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan. Dari is the Afghan government's official term for the Persian language;Lazard, G.Darī – The New Persian ...

Pashto Pashto ( , ; , ) is an eastern Iranian language in the Indo-European language family, natively spoken in northwestern Pakistan and southern and eastern Afghanistan. It has official status in Afghanistan and the Pakistani province of Khyb ...

: ) is a private

television network A television broadcaster or television network is a telecommunications network for the distribution of television show, television content, where a central operation provides programming to many television stations, pay television providers or ...

based in

Kabul Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province. The city is divided for administration into #Districts, 22 municipal districts. A ...

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

. The

channel Channel, channels, channeling, etc., may refer to: Geography * Channel (geography), a landform consisting of the outline (banks) of the path of a narrow body of water. Australia * Channel Country, region of outback Australia in Queensland and pa ...

was launched in 2005 by

Afghan-American Afghan Americans ( ''Amrikāyi-hāye Afghān tabar'', ''Da Amrīka Afghanan'') are Americans with ancestry from Afghanistan. They form the largest Afghan community in North America with the second being Afghan Canadians. Afghan Americans may o ...

Ehsan Bayat Ehsanollah "Ehsan" Bayat (Pashto/Dari: احسان الله بیات, born July 15, 1963) is an Afghan American business entrepreneur who is the founder and chairman of Bayat Group, Afghanistan's largest private company. Early life and education ...

, owner of

Afghan Wireless Afghan Wireless Communication Company, also known as Afghan Wireless and AWCC, is Afghanistan's first wireless communications company. Founded in 1998, it is based in Kabul, Afghanistan with various regional offices. Headquartered in Kabul, Afgha ...

. ATN began

broadcasting Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

internationally in 2006 and offers coverage in all 34

provinces of Afghanistan The provinces of Afghanistan ( ''Wilayah, wilāyat'') are the primary administrative divisions. Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces. Each province encompasses a number of Districts of Afghanistan, districts or usually over 1,000 villages. ...

History

ATN was launched on 17 August 2005 as a

private television Commercial broadcasting (also called private broadcasting) is the broadcasting of television programs and radio programming by privately owned corporate media, as opposed to state sponsorship, for example. It was the United States' first model o ...

and radio network based in

Ariana FM 93.5
the network's

radio station Radio broadcasting is the broadcasting of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based rad ...

broadcasts Broadcasting is the distribution of audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began with ...

in the

and

languages and operates 24 hours a day. Ariana FM also offers a

livestream Livestreaming, live-streaming, or live streaming is the streaming media, streaming of video or Digital audio, audio in real-time communication, real time or near real time. While often referred to simply as ''streaming'', the real-time nature ...

option, which allows audiences to listen to programs on the

radio Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connec ...

online In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity, and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed as "on lin ...

, and through

mobile applications A mobile application or app is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or watch. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to desktop applications which are designed to run on d ...

. In 2006, the network began

internationally. In 2014, ATN underwent

rebranding Rebranding is a marketing strategy in which a new name, term, symbol, design, concept or combination thereof is created for an established brand with the intention of developing a new, differentiated identity in the minds of consumers, investors ...

and expanded its operations with the launch of its

sister channel In broadcasting, sister stations or sister channels are radio or television stations operated by the same company, either by direct ownership or through a management agreement. Radio sister stations will often have different formats, and somet ...

, Ariana News. The network provides programming that includes international arts and culture and offers a platform for Afghan writers, producers, actors, and directors. After the

Taliban , leader1_title = Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, Supreme leaders , leader1_name = {{indented plainlist, * Mullah Omar{{Natural Causes{{nbsp(1994–2013) * Akhtar Mansour{{Assassinated (2015–2016) * Hibatullah Akhundzada (2016–present) ...

captured Kabul, home to ATN headquarters, the network struggled under the introduction of repressive policies. 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. Female employees were eventually barred from presenting, and subsequent administrative decrees have restricted women's movement and access to public spaces. Taliban authorities continued to impose harsh restrictions on the network, with reports of violence against journalists frequently emerging. 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 Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

events such as protests against the Taliban, but the Taliban threatened to shut down the network if they did not cease. This led him to resign on September 10, 2021. Other managers attempted to follow but faced arrests and forced resignations by the

in the months following. 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 Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the fundamental principle that communication and expression through various media, including printed and electronic media, especially published materials, should be considered a right to be exerc ...

." 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 alibanrelease Aslam Ejab and Waris Hasrat. They were in detention for TB for two nights."

Frequency

Programming

The network's programming includes

educational Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education also fol ...

, health,

sports Sport is a physical activity or game, often competitive and organized, that maintains or improves physical ability and skills. Sport may provide enjoyment to participants and entertainment to spectators. The number of participants in ...

, cultural,

news News is information about current events. This may be provided through many different Media (communication), media: word of mouth, printing, Mail, postal systems, broadcasting, Telecommunications, electronic communication, or through the te ...

documentary A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...

, magazine shows,

talk shows A talk show is a television programming, radio programming or podcast genre structured around the act of spontaneous conversation.Bernard M. Timberg, Robert J. Erler'' (2010Television Talk: A History of the TV Talk Show', pp.3-4Erler, Robert (20 ...

, social,

cooking shows A cooking show, cookery show, or cooking program (also spelled cooking programme in British English) is a television genre that presents food preparation, often in a restaurant kitchen or on a studio set, or at the host's personal home. Typ ...

game shows A game show (or gameshow) is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete in a game for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a host, who explains the rules of the program as well as commentating and narrating wh ...

, and children's content.

Sports programming

ATN broadcasts sports coverage, including

the Olympic games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competiti ...

, football, and

cricket Cricket is a Bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball game played between two Sports team, teams of eleven players on a cricket field, field, at the centre of which is a cricket pitch, pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two Bail (cr ...

, in collaboration with organizations such as

FIFA The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...

, the

International Cricket Council The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global Sports governing body, governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England, and South Africa. In 1965, the body wa ...

(ICC), the

International Olympic Committee The International Olympic Committee (IOC; , CIO) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based i ...

(IOC), the

Board of Control for Cricket in India The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the principal national governing body of the sport of cricket in India. Its headquarters are situated at the Cricket Centre in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. BCCI is the wealthiest governing body ...

(BCCI), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the

Afghanistan Football Federation The Afghanistan Football Federation AFF; is the governing body of football in Afghanistan, overseeing the organization, promotion, and regulation of all national teams and leagues. Established in 1922, the AFF joined FIFA in 1948 and became a ...

(AFF), and

STAR India Disney Star (also known as JioStar), registered as JioStar India Private Limited, is an Indian media conglomerate joint venture owned with a share of 16.34% by Reliance Industries, 46.82% by Viacom18 and 36.84% by Disney India. On 14 Nove ...

. 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 The World Rally-Raid Championship (officially abbreviated as W2RC) is a rally raid series co-sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM and promoted by the Amaury Sport ...

IJF World Tour The IJF World Tour is a worldwide top-tier judo tour, organized by the International Judo Federation since 2009. The IJF World Tour consists of the annual World Championships and World Masters, a series of Grand Slam and Grand Prix tournaments, t ...

* 2024 Abu Dhabi T10 *

2025 International League T20 The 2025 International League T20 (also known as DP World International League T20 2025 or DP World ILT20 2025 for sponsorship reasons) was the third season of the International League T20, a professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United Ar ...

2025 ICC Champions Trophy The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. It was hosted by Pakistan Cricket Board from 19 February to 9 March 2025 and featured 15 matches held across three venues in Pakistan and one in the United Arab E ...

2025 Indian Premier League The 2025 Indian Premier League, also known as IPL 18 and branded as TATA IPL 2025, was the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League of cricket. The tournament featured 10 teams competing in 74 matches. It began on 22 March and was held acros ...

Reality TV programming

ATN broadcast ''Chand sitara'', a

reality television Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring ordinary people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 1990s ...

program patterned after ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'' but dedicated to

Afghan Afghan or Afgan may refer to: Related to Afghanistan *Afghans, historically refers to the Pashtun people. It is both an ethnicity and nationality. Ethnicity wise, it refers to the Pashtuns. In modern terms, it means both the citizens of Afghanist ...

music. "Chand Sitara" translates to "How Many Stars?" The program consists of

music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...

s submitted to the show by

musician A musician is someone who Composer, composes, Conducting, conducts, or Performing arts#Performers, performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general Terminology, term used to designate a person who fol ...

s. 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).

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

Partnerships and collaborations

ATN has established partnerships with global organisations such as

, ICC,

IOC The International Olympic Committee (IOC; , CIO) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based in L ...

BCCI The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the principal national governing body of the sport of cricket in India. Its headquarters are situated at the Cricket Centre in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. BCCI is the wealthiest governing body ...

, ACB, AFF,

, and others.

Social responsibility and workforce

The network has run several public service campaigns on topics such as diabetes, environmental conservation, equal rights for men and women,

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

anti-smoking Tobacco control is a field of international public health science, policy and practice dedicated to addressing tobacco use and thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality it causes. Since most cigarettes and cigars and hookahs contain or use ...

anti-drug Substance misuse, also known as drug misuse or, in older vernacular, substance abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are harmful to the individual or others. It is a form of substance-related disorder, differing definitions ...

initiatives, ending

modern slavery Contemporary slavery, also sometimes known as modern slavery or neo-slavery, refers to institutional slavery that continues to exist in the 21st century. Estimates of the number of enslaved people range from around 38 million to 49.6 million, d ...

(including

forced labor Forced labour, or unfree labour, is any work relation, especially in modern or early modern history, in which people are employed against their will with the threat of destitution, detention, or violence, including death or other forms of ...

child slavery Child slavery means that children have to work under slave-like conditions. Even though-slavery has been abolished, there are still many children with this fate. Many of them live in developing countries. The enslavement of children can be trac ...

forced ''Forced'' is a single-player and co-op action role-playing game developed by BetaDwarf, released in October 2013 for Windows, OS X and Linux through the Steam platform as well as Wii U. It is about gladiators fighting for their freedom in a fant ...

and

early marriage Child marriage is a practice involving a marriage or domestic partnership, formal or informal, that includes an individual under 18 and an adult or other child.* * * * Research has found that child marriages have many long-term negative con ...

debt slavery Debt bondage, also known as debt slavery, bonded labour, or peonage, is the pledge of a person's services as security for the repayment for a debt or other obligation. Where the terms of the repayment are not clearly or reasonably stated, or whe ...

, and

human trafficking Human trafficking is the act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This exploitation may include forced labor, sexual slavery, or oth ...

), early childhood brain development, and

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

awareness. These initiatives attempt to address

social issues A social issue is a problem that affects many people within a society. It is a group of common problems in present-day society that many people strive to solve. It is often the consequence of factors extending beyond an individual's control. Soc ...

and promote awareness of topics affecting

Afghan society The culture of Afghanistan has persisted for centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of the nation. Afghanistan's culture is historically strongly connected to nearby Persia, including the same religion, as the people of both countries ...

Awards and achievements

ATN wins Asiavision monthly award for quake 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.

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.

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.

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.

References

External links

Official site

ABU's ATN page

ATN Launches New User Contribution Initiative
{{Television stations in Afghanistan Television stations in Afghanistan Persian-language television stations Television channels and stations established in 2005 Mass media in Kabul