BBC Persian live stream

BBC Persian online television

BBC Persian is a British free-to-air television channel operating in the 24-hour news and information format. The primary language of broadcasting is Persian (Farsi). The channel is owned and operated by the BBC World Service, the international arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and is headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, United Kingdom. BBC Persian TV was launched on January 14, 2009, after a two-year period of preparation that involved recruiting and training more than 150 staff, including almost 100 broadcast journalists. The BBC's Persian service itself has a much longer history, having first started as a radio service in 1940.

On air, BBC Persian features continuous news coverage, including breaking news, live events, political analysis, business reports, and cultural programming. The channel's news agenda covers international and regional stories with a global perspective, focusing on issues relevant to Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the broader Persian-speaking world. Flagship programs include "News" bulletins which are broadcast throughout the day, "Be-ebaarat-eh Digar" (Hardtalk), a weekly 30-minute in-depth interview program where guests ranging from political leaders to entertainers face challenging questions, and "Nowbat-e Shoma" (Your Turn), a weekly interactive debate program that encourages audience participation across television, radio, and online platforms. Other regular programs include "Varzeshe Haft" (Sport Seven), a weekly sports round-up covering major international events; "Tamaashaa" (Spectacle), a weekly arts and culture program covering film, books, and art exhibitions; "Aapaaraat" (Documentary Showcase), a weekly showcase of documentary films from Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan; "Click", a guide to digital technology; and "Kook" (Tune), a weekly music program featuring Iranian and world music.

BBC Persian has faced significant operational challenges since its launch. The channel's journalists are banned from operating inside Iran, and the Iranian authorities have consistently jammed the satellite signal of BBC Persian television. The service's website, bbc.com/persian, has been blocked by Iranian authorities since 2006, and users in Iran access it through VPNs. Despite these obstacles, BBC Persian has grown to become the largest Persian-language media outlet outside Iran and the largest international news channel in Iran. According to BBC audience data, BBC News Persian reaches a weekly audience of approximately 24 million people, with around 14 million people watching BBC Persian TV every week. The channel has 24 million followers on Instagram, surpassing CNN's 23 million followers on the same platform. The service also reaches audiences in Afghanistan, the United States, Germany, Canada, Tajikistan, and other countries around the world.

In response to crises affecting access to information in Iran, BBC Persian has adapted its services to reach audiences through multiple channels. During internet blackouts and periods of unrest, the BBC World Service has launched temporary emergency lifeline radio programs to complement the television service, broadcasting on mediumwave and shortwave frequencies across Iran. These programs cover the latest news and developments in Iran and feature voices from inside the country alongside informed analysis. The BBC has also made some of its television content available on mediumwave radio to broaden access to information.

BBC Persian is available worldwide via satellite on multiple platforms, including Eutelsat's Hotbird satellite at 13 degrees east and other satellites serving the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. Viewers can watch online the live broadcast of BBC Persian through the official BBC Persian website at bbc.com/persian, which offers a 24-hour live stream of the channel. Online television of BBC Persian is also accessible via the BBC Persian channel on YouTube, as well as through various streaming platforms and mobile applications. The channel maintains a strong presence on social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, where it shares breaking news, program highlights, and engages with audiences.

BBC Persian strives to provide accurate, impartial, and editorially independent journalism to Persian-speaking audiences around the world, operating under the BBC's Royal Charter obligations. The mission of the channel is to serve audiences in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the global Persian diaspora, delivering high-quality news, analysis, and cultural programming in the face of significant operational challenges and government opposition. The channel draws upon the BBC's unmatched newsgathering resources, with more than 250 journalists and correspondents in over 70 international offices and bureaux, providing eyewitness reportage and expert analysis from around the world. BBC Persian journalists are stationed in key locations including Beirut, Dushanbe, Islamabad, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Kabul, and Washington. The channel's team has been recognized for its courageous and independent journalism, producing work under extraordinary circumstances while facing ongoing harassment. Thanks to modern digital platforms and satellite technology, BBC Persian provides the opportunity to watch online the live broadcast on any device - from smartphones to Smart TVs - ensuring that Persian-speaking audiences across Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Europe, North America, and around the world can access its trusted news coverage and programming wherever they are.

BBC Persian Watch Live Channel