BBC Persian is the Persian language radio station and TV operated by the BBC which conveys the latest political, social, economical and sport news relevant to Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, and the world. Its headquarters are in London, United Kingdom. Sadeq Saba is head of BBC Persian.
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BBC Persian has had a web presence since May 2001[1].
In 2008, the BBC announced the launch of the BBC Persian Television, which is based in BBC Broadcasting House: as BBC's Press Office website states
BBC World Service is to launch a television news and information service in the Persian language for Iran. BBC Persian television was launched in January 2009 and is based in London. It complements the BBC's existing Persian-language radio and online services. It is initially broadcast for eight hours a day, seven days a week, from 17.00 to 01.00 hours – peak viewing time in Iran. It is freely available to anyone with a satellite dish in the region.[2]
BBC proposals for the service were drawn up by senior BBC management. These were approved by the then BBC Governors – the body that oversaw the BBC and ensures the BBC's independence from the UK Government. They were then submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for their consent as the BBC is obliged to do under the agreement with the FCO.
The operating cost of £15m a year will be funded by the UK Government.[3] Funding for the new service was announced by then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown in a speech in October 2006. The funding was confirmed by the next Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling in October 2007. Some 140 staff are employed of which about 40 are support personnel.
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