Manoto (Persian: من و تو lit. You and I) is an international free-to-air Persian language general entertainment channel launched in October 2010, owned by Marjan Television Network, which was established by Kayvan Abbassi and Marjan Abbassi. It is based in London and its programs include documentaries, films, series, news and reports.

 

Manoto's viewership rates are difficult to determine; however, anecdotal reports about the channel's ubiquitous popularity suggests that it has gained rapidly in market share to rival more established satellite channels like BBC Persian and VOA Persian TV. According to a BBC report in 2008, these channels may be watched by at least 30 percent of households inside Iran. Iranian TV has suggested Manoto TV is financed by The Pentagon.

 

Manoto's funding comes from venture capitalists, according to a 2011 report on human rights and information access in Iran by the Foreign Policy Centre, a UK-based independent think tank. The report did not name the venture capital firms behind the station.However, many Iranian analysts believe that the channel is promoting Iran's ousted monarchy purposefully.

 

Kayvan and Marjan Abbassi, the UK-based Iranian couple who launched Manoto 1, in 2010, stay out of the media spotlight. They and other Manoto 1 officials have usually declined to comment for their company and TV channel despite repeated requests for interviews.

 

Manoto TV can be downloaded via six satellite signals in Iran, the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and West Asia.