Chorki

Chorki is a Bangladeshi over-the-top media and video-streaming service operated by Mediastar Limited, a Prothom Alo subsidiary within Transcom Group. The platform was developed from a 2020 initiative by Mediastar to establish a dedicated OTT service and formally launched on 12 July 2021. Its launch took place online during the COVID-19 lockdown, with the slogan “Film, Fun, Foorti” and participation from Bangladeshi entertainment figures including Jaya Ahsan. The service is primarily oriented toward Bangla-language entertainment. Its catalog includes feature films, web films, television dramas, scripted series, comedy, documentaries, music videos, short-form television content, and other nonfiction programming. Chorki also carries selected foreign films and series, including Turkish and Iranian productions made available with Bangla dubbing. At launch, the platform reportedly offered more than 200 titles spanning films, television series, documentaries, and television dramas. Chorki uses a tiered content and monetization structure. Some programming is available without a subscription, while premium access provides a broader library and includes Chorki Original films, series, shows, and other exclusive programming. The platform uses a combination of advertising-supported video-on-demand, subscription video-on-demand, and transaction-based video-on-demand models. It partnered with ViewLift, an international streaming-technology provider, to support its on-demand video infrastructure. The service is accessible through Android and iOS applications as well as connected-TV and streaming-device environments including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Samsung Smart TV. In April 2021, before its public launch, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka shared 38 documentary films with Chorki, expanding the platform’s early documentary offering. Chorki received the Best Digital Diversification Project award at the Bangladesh Media Innovation Awards in September 2022. On 4 October 2023, it expanded its availability into India, marking an important step beyond its home market. Chorki’s positioning combines locally produced Bangla originals with licensed regional and international content. Its business is part of the broader growth of digital video services in Bangladesh, where OTT platforms have provided alternatives to conventional television distribution and cinema exhibition. The platform’s identity is built around Bangla entertainment, local creative talent, premium originals, and access across mobile and connected-screen devices. Its corporate ownership links it to Transcom Group and the media activities associated with Prothom Alo, while its operational identity remains that of a consumer-facing streaming brand.

Chorki emerged from Mediastar Limited’s 2020 plan to establish a Bangladeshi over-the-top video platform. Mediastar is associated with Prothom Alo and is owned within the wider Transcom Group structure. The project was conceived as a dedicated digital outlet for films, television-style programming, documentaries, and original content at a time when streaming services were becoming increasingly important to audience access and content distribution. The platform’s pre-launch development included the appointment of filmmaker Redoan Rony as chief executive officer. In April 2021, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka contributed 38 documentary films to the service. This gave Chorki an additional body of nonfiction programming before its formal debut and illustrated the platform’s intention to combine Bangladeshi programming with selected international material. Chorki officially began operations on 12 July 2021. Because Bangladesh was experiencing COVID-19-related restrictions and lockdown conditions, the launch ceremony was conducted online. Bangladeshi performers and entertainment personalities, including Jaya Ahsan, participated in the opening event. The service launched with the motto “Film, Fun, Foorti” and an initial library reported to contain more than 200 titles, including films, television series, documentaries, and television dramas. From the beginning, Chorki’s content strategy centered on Bangla-language entertainment. The service developed and distributed Chorki Original films, series, shows, and other programs while also carrying content from external providers. Its catalog has included feature films, web films, comedy, documentaries, music videos, television shorts, and nonfiction material. To broaden the range of available programming, Chorki has also shown foreign films and series, including Turkish and Iranian productions with Bangla dubbing. The platform adopted a multi-tier commercial model. Free content is available without a premium subscription, while subscribers receive access to a larger library and premium or exclusive programming. Chorki’s monetization architecture incorporates advertising-supported video-on-demand, subscription video-on-demand, and transaction-based video-on-demand. For the technical operation of its streaming service, Chorki partnered with ViewLift, a global provider of OTT and on-demand video solutions. Chorki expanded its device coverage beyond smartphones. It became available through Android and iOS and through connected-TV and streaming environments including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Samsung Smart TV. This distribution approach allowed the service to serve both mobile viewers and households watching on larger screens. In September 2022, Chorki received the Best Digital Diversification Project award at the Bangladesh Media Innovation Awards. The recognition reflected its role in extending a traditional media-group ecosystem into digital video distribution. On 4 October 2023, Chorki entered the Indian market, giving the service an international operating footprint and creating a potential outlet for Bangla programming and other catalog content outside Bangladesh. Chorki’s development has therefore combined local production, licensing, platform technology, and regional expansion. Its principal distinction is its concentration on Bangla content while retaining a mixed catalog of foreign films, documentaries, and series. Publicly available reference material establishes its ownership structure, launch history, executive leadership, programming model, technical partnership, award recognition, and Indian expansion, but does not provide sufficient information to document detailed subscription prices, revenue, subscriber totals, or a complete current content inventory.

• 2023

  India expansion

  [1]Chorkien.wikipedia.org

  The service entered India on 4 October.

• 2022

  Digital diversification award

  [1]Chorkien.wikipedia.org

  Chorki won Best Digital Diversification Project at the Bangladesh Media Innovation Awards.

• 2021

  Documentary partnership before launch

  [1]Chorkien.wikipedia.org

  The Indian High Commission in Dhaka shared 38 documentary films with Chorki in April.

• 2021

  Public launch

  [1]Chorkien.wikipedia.org

  Chorki launched on 12 July through an online ceremony during the COVID-19 lockdown.

• 2020

  Mediastar plans an OTT platform

  [1]Chorkien.wikipedia.org

  Mediastar Limited began developing an over-the-top media service that was later named Chorki.

A Bangla-focused OTT entertainment platform combining locally produced originals, licensed regional and international programming, and free, advertising-supported, and subscription-based access across mobile and connected-TV devices.

• OTT video streaming service · 2021

  Chorki streaming platform

  Chorki’s core product is an online video service focused primarily on Bangla-language entertainment. It offers films, web films, series, television dramas, documentaries, comedy, music videos, television shorts, nonfiction programs, and original productions. The platform combines free programming with premium access and is distributed through mobile applications, smart-TV platforms, and streaming devices.

• Original video programming · 2021

  Chorki Original

  Chorki Original is the platform’s branded slate of internally produced or commissioned films, web films, series, shows, and other exclusive programs. These productions form a central part of the premium catalog and support Chorki’s differentiation from general-purpose video distributors.

• Licensed international video content · 2021

  Foreign-language catalog

  Alongside Bangladeshi programming, Chorki carries selected foreign films and series. Reference material specifically identifies Turkish and Iranian films made available with Bangla dubbing, as well as documentary material supplied before the service’s launch.

• 2023

  Expansion into IndiaStrategy

  Background

  After establishing its primary service in Bangladesh, Chorki pursued availability in an additional regional market.

  Action taken

  Chorki entered India on 4 October.

  Aftermath

  The service expanded its operating footprint beyond Bangladesh.

  Source

• 2021

  Launch of Chorki streaming serviceProduct launch

  Background

  The service was introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown, when its launch event could not be held as a conventional in-person ceremony.

  Action taken

  Chorki launched online on 12 July with free and premium content tiers and a catalog of more than 200 reported titles.

  Aftermath

  The brand established a Bangla-focused OTT platform with mobile and connected-device distribution.

  Source

• 2020

  Mediastar enters OTT videoStrategy

  Background

  Mediastar sought to establish a dedicated digital distribution service for films, series, documentaries, and other video programming.

  Action taken

  The company developed and named the Chorki streaming platform.

  Aftermath

  The initiative led to Chorki’s public launch in July 2021.

  Source

1. 1Chorkien.wikipedia.org