Assyrian National Broadcasting
Assyrian National Broadcasting, also known as ANB Sat, is a private television broadcaster serving Assyrian communities through satellite and internet distribution.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Assyrian National Broadcasting, commonly known as ANB Sat, is a private television broadcasting outlet established in 2011 by Ninos Ternian. The service was created to preserve and extend Assyrian language, heritage, culture, and community identity while connecting Assyrians living in Iraq with diaspora communities abroad. Its distribution has included satellite broadcasting and internet-based viewing, allowing it to reach audiences beyond the locations in which it could operate through conventional local broadcasting licenses. The broadcaster presents itself as a community-oriented platform rather than as an outlet formally affiliated with a particular church, political party, or other organization. Its stated purpose has been to provide a bridge among Assyrian communities and to create space for discussion of cultural, social, humanitarian, and political developments affecting Assyrians. Coverage has included diaspora festivals, community gatherings, religious and cultural events, and the funeral of Dinkha IV, the former Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East. ANB has also reported on human-rights concerns involving Assyrians in Iraq, including issues arising in the Kurdistan Region and areas of northeastern Syria. In addition to its own reporting, the channel has been described as giving Assyrian humanitarian organizations and business owners an opportunity to discuss community developments. This role positioned ANB as part of a wider Assyrian media ecosystem that includes television, online publishing, and diaspora communications. Its programming and editorial identity have been closely connected to the preservation of Assyrian cultural expression and language, as well as to the representation of an internationally dispersed community. The broadcaster encountered significant operational and political difficulties in Iraq. In November 2019, contributor William Bnyameen Adam was detained by Asayish forces while reporting in the region. He had been contributing to ANB since 2014 and was covering conditions affecting Assyrians in the Al-Hasakah Governorate and Qamishli. He was released after negotiations, although reports described harsh treatment during his detention. In June 2020, ANB obtained authorization to operate in Ankawa, Erbil, but its operations were ordered closed by an Asayish captain in October of that year. The channel said the action followed criticism of the Barzani family, opposition to or criticism of the 2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum, and its use of the term “northern Iraq” for the Kurdistan Region. The closure occurred during a broader period of pressure on journalists and media organizations in the Kurdistan Region. In October 2021, the channel was reported to be permanently closing after difficulties maintaining its operating position, particularly following the regional shutdown. It subsequently resumed operations, although the available reference material does not specify the precise date, ownership structure, or operating arrangements associated with its reopening. ANB therefore remains best understood as a community broadcasting brand whose continuity has depended on a combination of satellite and digital distribution, while its local broadcasting activities have been affected by licensing and political constraints.
History
Assyrian National Broadcasting was founded in 2011 by Ninos Ternian to serve Assyrian communities in Iraq and abroad. Known as ANB Sat, it used satellite and internet distribution to reach an audience dispersed across the Assyrian homeland and diaspora. Its founding objective was to protect and promote Assyrian language, culture, heritage, and community identity while providing a communications link among communities that are geographically separated. The broadcaster developed a community-media role that extended beyond routine television programming. It covered Assyrian festivals and other diaspora events, reported on religious and cultural occasions, and provided a platform for humanitarian organizations and Assyrian business owners. ANB also reported on human-rights issues affecting Assyrians in Iraq, including developments in the Kurdistan Region and northeastern Syria. Its coverage of the funeral of Dinkha IV, former Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, reflected the importance of religious and communal events in its programming. Although founded by an individual described as an Assyrian entrepreneur and nationalist, the broadcaster was presented as independent of formal religious and political affiliation. Its editorial mission emphasized community representation and cultural preservation. This positioning also brought it into conflict with authorities. In November 2019, William Bnyameen Adam, who had contributed to ANB since 2014, was detained by Asayish forces while reporting on Assyrians in the Al-Hasakah Governorate and Qamishli. Adam had previously faced threats from the Kurdistan Democratic Party after criticizing the appointment of two Assyrians to senior government posts. He was released on November 12 following negotiations, though reports stated that he had experienced severe conditions and beatings while detained. ANB had previously been unable to broadcast in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. It received a license to operate in Ankawa, Erbil, in June 2020, but that authorization did not prevent a subsequent shutdown. On October 26, 2020, Asayish captain Sangar Ahmed forced the channel to close its operations. ANB said it had been targeted because of criticism of the Barzani family and the 2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum, and because it used “northern Iraq” rather than the preferred terminology for the Kurdistan Region. The incident took place amid a wider crackdown on journalists in the region. In October 2021, ANB was reported to be permanently closing after difficulties maintaining its status, especially following the Kurdistan Regional Government-related closure. The service later reopened, although the available sources do not establish the exact date or detail the institutional arrangements behind the resumption. A later report states that in 2026 the group temporarily stopped publishing news to its Facebook page because of a trademark dispute. Overall, ANB’s history reflects the dual function of a diasporic cultural broadcaster: it has sought to preserve a minority identity and connect communities, while also facing the licensing, political, and security pressures that can affect independent media operating in contested environments.
- 2021
Permanent closure announced
[1]ANB was reported to be permanently closing because of difficulties maintaining its operating status.
- 2020
License obtained in Ankawa
[1]ANB received authorization to operate in Ankawa, Erbil, after previously being unable to broadcast in the Kurdistan Region.
- 2020
Kurdistan Region operations ordered closed
[1]Asayish authorities ordered the channel to stop operating in October, according to the broadcaster's account.
- 2019
ANB contributor detained in Iraqi Kurdistan
[1]William Bnyameen Adam was detained while reporting and was released after negotiations on November 12.
- 2014
William Bnyameen Adam begins contributing to ANB
[1]Adam began contributing to the broadcaster and later reported on Assyrian conditions in northeastern Syria and surrounding areas.
- 2011
Assyrian National Broadcasting founded
[1]Ninos Ternian founded the broadcaster to preserve Assyrian language, culture, heritage, and community connections.
Broadcasting later resumes
[1]The channel subsequently reopened and continued its community broadcasting mission, although the reopening date is not specified.
Products and positioning
A community-focused Assyrian media platform dedicated to language, heritage, cultural continuity, diaspora connection, and reporting on issues affecting Assyrians.
Satellite television · 2011
ANB Sat television channel
ANB Sat is the broadcaster's principal television service. It was established to deliver Assyrian-oriented news, cultural programming, event coverage, and community discussion through satellite distribution, including to audiences outside the broadcaster's immediate operating area.
Internet media
ANB online broadcasting
The broadcaster also makes its programming and information available through the internet. Online distribution extends the service to Assyrian diaspora audiences and provides an alternative channel when local terrestrial or licensed broadcasting operations are restricted.
News programming · 2011
Assyrian community news
ANB's news output covers community events, humanitarian concerns, cultural and religious occasions, and human-rights issues affecting Assyrians. Its reporting has included developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and northeastern Syria, alongside diaspora stories.
Controversies
2026
Trademark dispute affecting Facebook publishing
The broadcaster reportedly paused news publishing on its Facebook page temporarily because of a dispute concerning its trademark.
2020
Forced closure of ANB operations in the Kurdistan Region
After receiving a license to operate in Ankawa, ANB was ordered to close by Asayish authorities. The channel attributed the action to its criticism of regional political figures and policies and to its terminology for the region.
2019
Detention of ANB contributor William Bnyameen Adam
William Bnyameen Adam was detained by Asayish forces while on reporting duty in the region. He was released after negotiations, and accounts described harsh conditions and beatings during his detention.
Brand decisions
2021
Announcement of permanent closureStrategyBackground
The broadcaster faced continuing difficulties after its Kurdistan Region operations were closed.
Action taken
ANB announced that it would permanently close.
Aftermath
The service later reopened, although the timing and operating structure of the resumption are not specified in the available sources.
2020
Compliance with order to close Kurdistan Region operationsStrategyBackground
ANB had received authorization to operate in Ankawa but was subsequently ordered by Asayish authorities to stop its operations.
Action taken
The channel complied with the closure order and publicly attributed the action to political and editorial disagreements.
Aftermath
The shutdown contributed to later difficulties maintaining the broadcaster's operating status and was cited in connection with the closure announced in 2021.
Recent events
- 2021
ANB announces permanent closure[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The broadcaster was reported to be permanently closing after problems maintaining its operating status, particularly following the shutdown of its Kurdistan Region operations.
- 2020
ANB receives authorization to operate in Ankawa[1]
Regulation
The broadcaster obtained a license to operate in Ankawa, Erbil, marking a change from its earlier inability to broadcast in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
ANB resumes broadcasting[1]
Other
The channel later reopened and returned to its stated mission of providing information and media programming for the Assyrian community. The available reference does not give a precise reopening date.
Sources2 sources
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