In response, BBC Persian started transmission on other satellites and increased their broadcast hours in order to combat the interference In June 2009, BBC Persian's Hot Bird satellite broadcasts along with those of BBC Arabic Television, other BBC services, and those of other broadcasters were experiencing interference due to a jamming signal originating from within Iran. The Iranian public overall has had a very negative opinion regarding BBC (both before and after 1979 revolution). On 1 April 2014, all World Service funding transfers to the Licence Fee model, which is paid for by all UK residents who watch television as it is broadcast.Īs of November 2017, BBC Persian has an audience of 13 million Iranians. The Iranian government issued a statement denouncing the new service as 'suspicious and illegal', and 'working against the interests of the Islamic Republic'. The annual budget of £15 million was funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but as with the BBC World Service which is also funded by the FCO, the BBC remains editorially independent, though some Iranian media have accused the British Government of using the service as a propaganda tool.

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