Every year, November 6 is celebrated in Azerbaijan as the professional holiday of those working in the television and radio broadcasting sector. On November 6, 1926, the first radio programme was broadcast in Azerbaijan. Since then, radio and television broadcasting in the country has undergone several important stages of development.
The history of television broadcasting dates back to February 14, 1956. On that day, the first black-and-white broadcast of the “AzTV1” programme went on air. Shortly afterwards, on June 28, 1957, the first live television broadcast was carried out from the Republic Stadium using a mobile television station.
In 1961, high-power television stations were established in the cities of Ganja, Goychay and Shusha. In 1962, a low-power television station and a studio were established in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Starting in 1967, the transition from black-and-white television broadcasting to colour broadcasting using the SECAM system began.
In 1996, the Baku TV Tower Complex was commissioned, creating additional technical capabilities for radio and television broadcasting. In 1997, the radio programmes “I Respublika” and “Araz” began broadcasting in the FM band from the Baku TV Tower Complex.
In 2012, an IPTV headend station was established at the Baku TV Tower Complex, enabling the distribution of IPTV content to service providers.
On December 20, 2016, analogue television broadcasting was completely switched off across the country, and the transition to digital television broadcasting was fully completed. The main advantages of digital broadcasting include high-quality reception of television programmes, efficient use of strategically important frequency resources, and the ability to receive a larger number of television programmes.
Currently, all terrestrial television programmes broadcast in Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula are transmitted in Full HD format.
In 2019, digital radio broadcasting based on the DAB+ standard was launched for the first time in Azerbaijan, covering Baku and the Absheron Peninsula. Digital radio can be received on the frequency of 218.6 MHz (11B). Furthermore, in 2025, uninterrupted reception of 12 radio programmes was ensured in the Central Aran region, including the districts of Agsu, Shamakhi and Ismayilli, as well as surrounding areas, using a Single Frequency Network (SFN) mode at 223.936 MHz.
In accordance with the “First State Programme on the Great Return to the Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan Liberated from Occupation”, approved by the relevant Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and in line with the respective stages of population resettlement, the restoration of the radio and television broadcasting network is being carried out.
We congratulate all our colleagues whose dedication and efforts contribute to the development of television and radio broadcasting on their professional holiday, and wish them good health and continued success in their work!