Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's award-winning Persian-language television channel, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian, is now available on Eurobird 2 which is positioned in the same location as Arabsat.

This is the latest in a series of recent moves to ensure that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian television is available to audiences in Iran despite attempts to jam the channel's signal.

In May 2010, as part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commitment to ensure that its Iranian audiences have access to accurate and impartial television news and current affairs, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian television started broadcasting on the Hotbird 8 satellite. The channel continues to be available on Eutelsat W3A and Telstar 12. The EB2 satellite (co-located with Arabsat) is the third Eutelsat owned platform to carry the Persian service.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian television started suffering deliberate attempts to interfere with its signal during its extended coverage of Iran's disputed presidential election in June 2009. The source of the interference has been identified as being situated in Iran.

Peter Horrocks, Director of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Global News, has reaffirmed the broadcaster's commitment to its Persian-speaking audiences saying: "We have been working closely with Eutelsat and other satellite operators to find alternative and more robust avenues to give our large audiences in Iran access to our Persian-language content. Our audiences in Iran value the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ as a high quality source of impartial and editorially independent news and information and we will do everything we can to give them that news."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian television is now available on the following platforms:

Hotbird 8, (transponder 77)
13 East
12.245 Horizontal

Eutelsat W3A (transponder A1)
7ΒΊ East
10.721 GHz – (Horizontal)

Telstar 12, (transponder 10)
15 West
12.608 GHz (Horizontal)

EuroBird2 – EB2 (transponder 158) [co-located with Arabsat]
25.5ΒΊ East
11.662GHz Vertical

Notes to Editors

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian is the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's integrated news and information service for Persian-speakers. It is available on air and on demand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is designed to reach audiences on radio, television, the internet – on bbcpersian.com – mobile phones and handheld computers in whatever way best suits the audience. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian is one of the oldest of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s non-English language services. Launched on 28 December 1940, it has evolved into the Persian-speaking world's leading international broadcaster, covering the political, social and cultural issues that matter to its diverse audiences in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and across the world. With its new TV presence, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian is bringing the world to Persian-speaking audiences – reporting the news wherever it leads. The latest news from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian is now available on mobile phones, PDAs and other wireless handheld devices.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Publicity