TOLO is a commercial television stationoperated byMOBY Group in Afghanistan. Launched in 2004, it became one of the first commercial stations in the country and laid the foundation for an accessible media outlet by offering a large library of shows. It is a Dari-language channel and is currently Afghanistan's most popular television channel. TOLO was first launched in Kabul but as of November 2007, has broadcasts in 14 cities in Afghanistan on free-to-air and throughout the region by terrestrial and satellite. Its sister channels are TOLOnews, which broadcasts news all day, and Lemar TV, which is a Pashto-language channel. TOLO was the subject of documentary film in 2012 called The Network, by Eva Orner. The film saw limited international release in 2013.
Programs
Afghanistan’s landmark drama series, Raaz Hai Een Khana took the Special Award at the Seoul Drama Awards in October 2008. Screened on Tolo and produced by Kaboora Productions, Raaz Hai Een Khana is the first drama series ever entirely written, acted, filmed, produced and broadcast by Afghans, for Afghans in Afghanistan. It was selected for a Special Prize amongst 152 entries from 33 countries around the world. Tolo TV broadcasts Afghan Star, a singing competition and one of Afghanistan's most popular television series. The show was the subject of the 2009 documentary film, 'Afghan Star', which won two awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. In 2010 Tolo TV began broadcasting Eagle Four, a police drama often compared to the American series24, and partially funded by the U.S. government. Other popular programs include Chai Ba Azizyar, Maheman-e-Yar, Feker Wa Talash, Zang Khatar, Dahlezha, 6.30 Report, Emroz Emshab, Shabake Khanda, Hai Maidan Tai Maidan', and a comedy drama called Hechland. Tolo TV are currently playing Turkish serials dubbed in Dari Persian such as "Qesa haye Zendagi", "Zahra", "Qiyam" and "Arbab Kocheh". The channel also airs "Quran Majeed", a Quran recitation program, on weekdays.
On 21 January 2016, a Taliban suicide car bomber detonated explosives near a bus carrying staffers from TOLO in Darulaman Road in Kabul, killing at least 7 staff members – including 3 female employees - and wounding 26 others. The attack drew widespread global condemnation, with various world countries, activists and media organizations denouncing it as an attack on Afghanistan's freedom of press.
