Ariana Television Network
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Media |
| Founded | August 17, 2005 |
| Founder | Ehsan Bayat |
| Headquarters | Kabul , Afghanistan |
Area served | Afghanistan, Asia, Europe, North America |
Key people | Sharif Hassanyar (founding director, former) |
| Products | Television broadcasting, Radio broadcasting |
| Website | www |
Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) is a privately owned television network and radio broadcaster based in Kabul, Afghanistan. Established in 2005 by Ehsan Bayat, who also owns Afghan Wireless, ATN commenced international transmissions in 2006, reaching audiences across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
History
ATN began operations on 17 August 2005, providing content through both television and radio outlets. Ariana FM 93.5 delivers continuous broadcasts around the clock in Dari and Pashto, accessible via live radio, online streaming, and mobile applications. In 2014, the network broadened its offerings by introducing Ariana News as a sister channel.
After the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, ATN encountered significant operational difficulties due to stringent regulatory constraints. Numerous female staff members either resigned or were dismissed; those who stayed were subjected to enforced dress codes and gender segregation policies. Ultimately, women were prohibited from appearing on-air as restrictions on their public roles intensified.
The network experienced mounting pressure from Taliban authorities, including intimidation tactics and detainment of personnel. Sharif Hassanyar, ATN’s founding director who had overseen coverage of anti-Taliban demonstrations, fled Afghanistan following threats and resigned under coercion in September 2021. Subsequent leadership also faced arrests or were compelled to step down. Hassanyar later established the Afghanistan Freedom of Speech Hub to promote journalistic freedom.
In 2022, two journalists affiliated with ATN in Kabul—Waris Hasrat and Aslam Ejab—were detained by Taliban forces but released after widespread international condemnation.
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 | |
Programming
The content lineup at ATN encompasses a wide array of genres including educational material, health-related shows, sports coverage, cultural programming, news segments, documentaries, magazine-style programs, talk shows, social issues discussions, cooking demonstrations, game shows, and children's entertainment.
Sports programming
ATN collaborates with prominent bodies such as FIFA, ICC, IOC, BCCI, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), and STAR India to air top-tier sporting events. Notable broadcasts include:
- FIFA World Cups held in Brazil (2014), Russia (2018), and Qatar (2022)
- ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025
- Olympic Games in Paris 2024
- World Judo Juniors Championships 2024
- World Rally-Raid Championship
- IJF World Tour
- Abu Dhabi T10 tournament in 2024
- International League T20 in 2025
- Indian Premier League in 2025
Reality TV programming
ATN's reality series Chand Sitara, inspired by the format of American Idol, spotlights Afghan musical talent. Aspiring artists submit their performances via video, which the public evaluates through phone calls or emails. The show, hosted by Naim Arzo alongside Omar Bakhtari (DJ Mast), actively involves the local community in uncovering new talent.
In-house productions
ATN develops and broadcasts multiple live programs from its own studios, including:
- Sobho Zindagi (a morning program)
- Ariana News updates (6PM in Pashto, 8PM in Dari, and 10PM editions)
- Falah Islamic Program
- Saar and Tahawol (discussion panels)
Collaborations and alliances
The network has established key partnerships with prominent international bodies such as FIFA, ICC, IOC, BCCI, ACB, AFF, and STAR India. These collaborations expand ATN’s distribution reach and strengthen its content offerings.
Community engagement and employee initiatives
ATN is committed to social responsibility by running awareness campaigns tackling critical issues in Afghanistan, including diabetes prevention, environmental protection, gender equity, educational advancement, anti-smoking and anti-drug initiatives, combating modern slavery (covering forced labor, child exploitation, early and forced marriages, debt bondage, and human trafficking), early childhood cognitive development, as well as COVID-19 public health education.
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Asiavision Monthly Award – October 2023
In October 2023, Ariana Television Network was honored with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Asiavision Monthly Award for its influential news reporting and efforts to promote cooperation among ABU member broadcasters.
ABU Asiavision Awards 2024 – Jury Prize
During 2024, Ariana Television and Ariana News were awarded the ABU Asiavision Awards Jury Prize for their thorough coverage of Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan.
ABU Diversity and Inclusion Media Awards 2024
In 2024, Ariana Radio & Television Network received the ABU Diversity and Inclusion Media Award, recognizing its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within media platforms.
Broadcast infrastructure
ATN maintains a comprehensive broadcasting infrastructure that provides coverage throughout Afghanistan via terrestrial signals and satellite transmissions reaching regions across Asia, Europe, and North America. The Bayat Media Center located in Kabul functions as the central facility for both content creation and transmission.