TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) has launched its second HD TV channel under the title of “Tehran Channel”.

The channel was launched during a ceremony attended by IRIB Director Mohammad Sarafraz and a large number of officials held at the IRIB International Conference Hall on Monday, Persian media reported on Tuesday.

Press TV, Iran’s television network broadcasting in English round-the-clock, is the first HD channel.

A performance by mentor Abbas Shirekhoda, a long time mentor of Pahlevani or Zurkhaneh sport, was the opening program for the ceremony.

The sport of Zurkhaneh is an Iranian martial art that combines elements of Islam, gnosticism and ancient Persian beliefs. It was registered on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2010.

The ceremony was followed by a broadcast of “The Voice of Tehran” (Seday-e-Tehroon) recited by Morteza Ahmadi (1924-2014).

Ahmadi had appeared in over 30 films and had also voiced many animated characters over his 65-year career. He was famous for his voice of the sly fox that tricks Pinocchio. He possessed expertise in Iran’s traditional theatrical performances such as ru-hozi, pardekhani (curtain-reading), and siah-bazi, which is usually accompanied by a tonbak, music and a rhythmic narration.

Vocalist Mohammad Esfahani also gave a performance for the audience at the opening ceremony.

The director of the channel, Ehsan Kaveh, was next who gave a short speech emphasizing that the Iranian youth will have active participation in running the channel.

He added that Tehran Channel will also be available on cell phones and social networks as well.

RM/YAW
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High-definition television (HDTV) provides a resolution that is substantially higher than that of standard-definition television