Ferdowsipour: The Director of Channel Three Removed Program 90 from Tonight's Broadcast Schedule

Adel Ferdowsipour, the producer and host of Program 90, stated on Monday, March 18, that the head of Channel Three of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) did not allow the broadcast of Program 90 for tonight. Ferdowsipour mentioned in an interview with IRNA: "Tonight's program 90 was dedicated to New Year's items and a selection of events from the year. The production team and I have been busy preparing items for the past few days, but today, at the instruction of the director of Channel Three, Program 90 was removed from the broadcast schedule of the channel." Ferdowsipour also said: "In a situation where only a few days have passed since Program 90 was chosen as the best program of the IRIB from the public's perspective and the best mixed program from the judges' perspective, the broadcast of the program was prevented." In recent days, there have been reports about the removal of Adel Ferdowsipour from Program 90 and his transfer from Channel Three. Meanwhile, Abdolali Asgari, the head of IRIB, stated that Adel Ferdowsipour, the producer and host of the successful sports program '90', will remain and work at Channel Three. Asgari made this statement on Monday during a government meeting in response to recent news about Ferdowsipour's farewell and the end of Program '90' circulating on social media. However, he did not respond regarding Ferdowsipour's continuation in Program '90'. Meanwhile, the director of public relations at IRIB confirmed that Adel Ferdowsipour has been removed from Program '90'. Mohammad Hossein Ranjbaran, after Asgari's remarks, told Young Journalists Club that "Mr. Ferdowsipour will remain at Channel Three, but there will also be changes in the sports sector of IRIB." He added that "special changes in Program 90 from next year" will occur in such a way that "the program will go on air with a new team, but at the same time, Adel Ferdowsipour's capacities will be utilized in other programs." Ranjbaran also confirmed that the position of "Deputy of Sports Channel" has been offered to Ferdowsipour, and "they continue to insist on this proposal." Ferdowsipour had previously stated in a short message that he rejected this proposal. This veteran sports presenter has faced numerous challenges in program production in recent years, but in recent months, following the appointment of Ali Faroghi as the head of Channel Three, his troubles have increased. Ali Faroghi was previously the head of the Basij Center of IRIB.