Iraq’s first television channel launched 68 years ago

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s first television channel, Baghdad TV, began broadcasting 68 years ago on May 2, 1956. It was the first Arabic-language TV channel in the Middle East. Historical accounts indicate that the channel was established after King Faisal II visited an exhibition by the British company Pye. The exhibition featured a black-and-white television system and a small studio, which impressed King Faisal II. He requested to purchase the system, and the equipment was moved to the Radio Baghdad site, marking the inception of Iraq’s first TV channel.

Radio Baghdad, the first radio station in Iraq, started broadcasting on July 1, 1936. It later became the site for the newly purchased TV equipment, facilitating the launch of Baghdad TV. This radio station played a significant role in Iraq’s media landscape, preparing the ground for future broadcasting developments, including television.

After launching Baghdad TV, Iraq sent engineers to Britain for training to assist with its technical setup. The channel’s first broadcast featured a speech by King Faisal II, followed by presenters Mohammed Ali Karim and Sabeeha Mudarris. Initially using three 16mm cameras, Baghdad TV broadcast in black-and-white and started with half a kilowatt of power, covering only the Baghdad area.

In the early days, television sets were scarce in Iraq, and those who had them often gathered in communal settings to watch programs. TV sets were distributed to clubs and cafes. The channel’s content included local news, cultural programs, and educational content aimed at promoting education and national unity.

By 2023, Iraq, excluding the Kurdistan Region, had 38 satellite channels, reflecting the country’s media expansion from the single-channel era of Baghdad TV. This growth showcases a diverse range of content from news to entertainment, meeting the varied interests of the Iraqi populace.

King Faisal II, the last monarch of Iraq’s Hashemite dynasty, reigned from 1953 until 1958, marking the end of the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq.