Iran Radio

Iran's 26 radio stations operate in a heavily state-controlled media environment where Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) maintains dominance and influence over all programming. Classical music programming appears on state stations maintaining cultural traditions and serious music listening, though Western popular music remains officially discouraged. Pop music that slips through censorship reflects underground Iranian pop culture and Tehrani tastes, though specific station counts underestimate actual listening because satellite radio subscribers access external stations. Christian r…