The London-based Persian television network Manoto announced in a surprise statement on Monday that it will terminate operations in Iran in about two months due to financial circumstances.
The statement cited its shrinking ad revenue, yet suggested that it could be back on air if it acquired new sponsors.
In its 14-year history, the news channel has also earned popularity among Iranians for its exclusive archive videos, documentaries and diverse entertainment shows. It has formed a close bond with viewers, giving significant air time to ordinary Iranians and broadcasting their user-generated footage that mostly reflect their grievances with the Iranian establishment.
In recent years, Manoto had turned increasingly critical of the Islamic Republic. Its coverage of protests in 2017 and 2019 drew the ire of officials in Tehran, who accuse it of seeking regime change. The rage was further intensified by Manoto's focus on last year's unrest after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's morality police.
