Manoto

Manoto, also known as Manoto TV or Manoto 1, is a Persian-language international entertainment channel operated by Marjan Television Network. It was launched in October 2010 by the London-based Iranian couple Kayvan Abbassi and Marjan Abbassi. The channel was created for Persian-speaking audiences inside and outside Iran and developed a broad programming mix that included documentaries, films, television series, news-related reports, lifestyle formats, music competitions, cooking shows, cultural features, and international event coverage. The service was based in London and distributed primarily through satellite television, allowing it to reach audiences in Iran despite the restrictions placed on foreign Persian-language broadcasters. Its programming strategy combined locally produced Persian formats with adaptations of recognizable international television concepts. Among its best-known programs were Befarmaeed Sham, a Persian version of Come Dine with Me; Googoosh Music Academy, a vocal competition associated with the singer Googoosh; Manoto Stage, a large-scale Persian-language music talent show; and Manoto Plus, a daily magazine program covering current affairs, culture, fashion, beauty, and international stories. Manoto also carried annual coverage of the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. The channel became particularly visible among Iranian viewers and the Iranian diaspora. Precise audience figures were difficult to verify because satellite viewing in Iran was not measured through a transparent, comprehensive ratings system. Nevertheless, reports described the channel as rapidly gaining popularity and competing for attention with better-established Persian-language services such as BBC Persian and VOA Persian. Its appeal was tied to polished production, celebrity participation, entertainment formats familiar from Western television, and programming that addressed Iranian cultural identity and nostalgia. Manoto's editorial identity has also been politically significant. The channel has been described as monarchist, anti-Islamic Republic, and supportive of Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran. Bloomberg characterized it as explicitly monarchist, anti-regime, and pro-Israel. Critics have argued that some of its historical programming presents the Pahlavi period nostalgically while giving insufficient attention to political repression, torture, and economic inequality under the monarchy. One cited example was an interview with former SAVAK official Parviz Sabeti in which he defended the use of torture against dissidents. These political associations have made Manoto more than a conventional entertainment outlet and have contributed to debate about diaspora media, historical memory, and foreign broadcasting directed at Iran. The network's financing has not been fully disclosed publicly. A 2011 Foreign Policy Centre report stated that Manoto's funding came from venture capitalists but did not identify the firms involved. The channel's founders and other officials generally maintained a low public profile and often declined interview requests. As a result, detailed information about ownership, investment, corporate governance, and executive leadership remains limited. Manoto stopped satellite broadcasting on 31 January 2024. It continued to publish and engage with audiences through digital platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. In 2025, the brand returned internationally as a subscription service and was reported to be available free-to-air by satellite in Iran. This transition illustrates the channel's movement from a primarily satellite-based television operation toward a mixed distribution model combining subscription access, social video, and satellite broadcasting. Its present status is therefore best understood as an active Persian-language media brand with television and digital operations, although the precise corporate structure and current programming schedule require further ver…

Manoto was established as part of Marjan Television Network, a London-based media operation founded by Iranian expatriates Kayvan Abbassi and Marjan Abbassi. The channel launched in October 2010 under the Manoto 1 name and targeted Persian-speaking viewers worldwide, with a particular focus on audiences in Iran and the Iranian diaspora. Its London base enabled it to operate outside the direct broadcasting controls of the Iranian state while using satellite distribution to reach viewers across the region. From its beginning, Manoto adopted a general-entertainment model rather than limiting itself to news or political discussion. Its schedule combined documentaries, films, series, reports, lifestyle programs, music, cooking, and magazine formats. The channel's use of recognizable international television structures helped make its programming accessible to viewers familiar with British and American television. Befarmaeed Sham adapted the dinner-party competition format of Come Dine with Me for Persian-speaking participants. Googoosh Music Academy used a talent-search structure centered on vocal performance, with Googoosh and music professionals helping contestants develop their abilities. Manoto Stage expanded this approach into a major Persian-language music competition with producer-judges, guest performers, and a substantial prize for the winner. Manoto Plus provided a daily magazine format combining topical reporting with fashion, beauty, culture, and celebrity interviews. The channel also built visibility through coverage of major international entertainment events. It broadcast the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants annually from 2011, adding internationally recognizable programming to its original Persian productions. The mixture of imported or adapted formats and locally produced shows helped Manoto distinguish itself from Persian-language public-service and news channels. Audience measurement remained difficult, especially inside Iran, where satellite reception and unofficial viewing complicate conventional ratings. Even so, accounts of the channel's popularity suggested that it quickly became a significant competitor to BBC Persian and VOA Persian TV. Manoto's public identity was shaped not only by entertainment but also by its political framing. It has been described as supportive of Reza Pahlavi and as promoting Iranian monarchist perspectives. Bloomberg characterized the broadcaster as explicitly monarchist, anti-regime, and pro-Israel. Supporters viewed the channel as an alternative source of Persian-language media outside the Islamic Republic's control, while critics argued that its historical content encouraged nostalgia for the Pahlavi monarchy and minimized repression, torture, and inequality associated with that period. A frequently discussed example was its interview with former SAVAK official Parviz Sabeti, who justified torture used against dissidents. These disputes placed Manoto within broader debates about Iranian diaspora media, political advocacy, historical representation, and foreign influence. Corporate and financial information about Manoto has remained relatively opaque. The founders and other officials generally avoided extensive media exposure and often declined interview requests. A 2011 report by the Foreign Policy Centre stated that the channel was funded by venture capitalists but did not name the investors. No verified public record in the supplied material identifies the channel's current owner beyond its association with Marjan Television Network, nor does the material provide a complete list of executives or financial results. On 31 January 2024, Manoto stopped satellite broadcasting. The brand did not disappear completely: it continued to communicate with audiences and distribute video through Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. In 2025, it reportedly resumed international availability as a subscription service and returned to free-to-air satellite distribution in Iran. This change marked a shift from a primarily free-to-air satellite channel to a hybrid media brand using subscription television, satellite transmission, and social platforms. The long-term scale and exact structure of the renewed service remain unclear.

1. 2025Hybrid distribution resumes

   Manoto returns internationally as a subscription service and is reported to be available free-to-air by satellite in Iran.

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2. 2024Satellite broadcasting ends

   The channel ceases satellite broadcasting on 31 January while retaining a presence on major social media and video platforms.

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3. 2011International pageant coverage begins

   Manoto begins annual broadcasts of the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions.

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4. 2010Manoto launches

   Manoto 1 begins broadcasting from London as a free-to-air Persian-language general entertainment channel operated by Marjan Television Network.

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A London-based international Persian-language broadcaster combining mainstream entertainment, locally produced talent and lifestyle formats, documentary programming, and an editorial perspective associated with Iranian monarchism and opposition to the Islamic Republic.

• Befarmaeed ShamCooking and reality television

  A Persian-language adaptation of the British format Come Dine with Me. Participants host dinner parties for one another and compete on the quality of their cooking, hospitality, and entertainment. The program brought a competitive reality-show structure into an Iranian cultural and culinary setting.

• Googoosh Music AcademyMusic talent competition

  A vocal-performance competition in which aspiring Iranian singers receive coaching and evaluation from Googoosh and music specialists. The format combined talent development, televised auditions, and performance competition, making it one of Manoto's most recognizable music properties.

• Manoto StageMusic talent competition

  A large Persian-language talent show focused on music performers. Contestants were assigned to producer-mentors and judged by figures including Reza Rouhani, Babak Saeedi, Hamed Nikpay, and Sharam Azar. The show also featured established Iranian performers as musical guests.

• Manoto PlusNews and lifestyle magazine

  A weekday magazine program covering topical international stories alongside lighter features on fashion, beauty, culture, and celebrity life. Its format combined studio presentation, field reports, interviews, and recurring lifestyle segments.

• Miss World and Miss Universe coverageInternational event broadcasting2011

  Annual broadcasts of the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants, giving Persian-speaking viewers access to two of the most prominent international beauty competitions.

• 2025Return through subscription and free-to-air satellite accessStrategy

  Following the 2024 end of satellite broadcasting, the brand continued to operate on social platforms.

  What changed. Manoto reportedly resumed international operations as a subscription service while becoming available free-to-air by satellite in Iran.

  Aftermath. The reported relaunch created a hybrid distribution model combining paid international access, satellite broadcasting, and digital platforms. The current scale and schedule require further verification.

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• 2024End satellite transmission and continue digitallyStrategy

  Manoto had operated primarily as an international satellite television channel, but satellite broadcasting was discontinued on 31 January 2024.

  What changed. The brand stopped satellite transmission and maintained audience access through Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

  Aftermath. Manoto remained active as a digital media presence before reportedly returning to international subscription distribution and satellite availability in 2025.

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• 2011Questions over funding and political alignmentControversy

  A Foreign Policy Centre report stated that Manoto's funding came from venture capitalists without identifying the firms. Iranian analysts also argued that the channel promoted the ousted monarchy. The combination of undisclosed financing and monarchist-leaning editorial content generated continuing scrutiny.

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• Criticism of monarchist historical framingControversy

  Critics have accused Manoto of creating nostalgia for the Pahlavi dynasty while underrepresenting torture, repression, and wealth inequality during the monarchy. The broadcast of an interview with former SAVAK official Parviz Sabeti, who defended torture of dissidents, became a prominent example in this criticism.

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• 2025Manoto returns through subscription and satellite distribution

  The brand was reported to have resumed international operations as a subscription service and to have become available free-to-air by satellite in Iran.

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• 2024Manoto ends satellite broadcasting

  Manoto ceased satellite transmission on 31 January 2024 but continued distributing content through social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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• 2011Manoto becomes a prominent Persian-language satellite broadcaster

  Reports described rapid growth in the channel's popularity among Iranian and diaspora audiences, while also raising questions about its political orientation and undisclosed venture-capital funding.

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• 2010Manoto launches as an international Persian-language entertainment channel

  Manoto began broadcasting from London as a free-to-air Persian-language general entertainment channel operated by Marjan Television Network.

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1. Manoto
2. Official Manoto website