Iran TV plans Slumdog film boost

Iran TV plans Slumdog film boost

State television in Iran says it will show the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire next week as part of the network's new year programming.

It is also planning to show the Hollywood film The Dark Knight during the new year festivities.

It is unusual for Iranian television to show such high-profile Western films so soon after they have been released.

Correspondents say it wants to win back viewers from foreign-based satellite channels broadcasting in Persian.

The state broadcaster says it will show 90 films during the 17-day holiday for Nowruz, or new year in Farsi, which is the country's biggest holiday of the year.

It marks the solar new year and the beginning of the calendar year in Iran.

BBc News