Formulating Optimal Strategies for Provincial IRIB TV Channels from Perspective of IRIB Managers and Media Experts

The purpose of this study is to suggest optimal strategies for provincial TV channels of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). The research has been conducted in two stages. In the first stage, five provinces have been selected and strategies formulated individually for each one by five different researchers. In the second stage, the findings of the first stage have been analyzed by meta-synthesis method until the final strategies formulated. The two phases of this research have been carried out qualitatively along with quantitative scoring. The research data have been collected through using library and desk method and holding interviews with experts. In both stages, the data analyses have been carried out by SWOT matrix, which ultimately led to the development of optimal strategies. The final results have showed that "building up trust and satisfaction of audiences towards the provincial TV channels", "promoting the status of the TV channels of each province in comparison to the national TV channels (reaching the minimum rating of the fifth TV channel used by the audiences in each province)", and "keeping alive the subcultures of each province" have been identified as the top three objectives (among top seven objectives) of the provincial TV channels. Also, "review of the organizational structure pattern and vocational redesign at IRIB provincial capitals", “attempt to increase the provincial TV channels’ budget" and “paying more attention to the demands and desires of the audience within the framework of their interests, through getting the feedbacks and having more interaction with the audiences" have been identified as the top three strategies of provincial TV channels among twenty eight high priority strategie