Ekushey Television

Ekushey Television, commonly abbreviated as ETV, is a privately owned Bengali-language television channel based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is associated with a major turning point in Bangladeshi broadcasting: its terrestrial launch in April 2000 made it the country's first privately owned nationwide terrestrial television network and ended Bangladesh Television's long-standing monopoly over terrestrial broadcasting. The channel's name refers to 21 February, a date associated with the Bengali Language Movement, while also evoking the beginning of the twenty-first century. Its original slogan, “Committed to change,” expressed an ambition to use television as a vehicle for social, cultural and political transformation. The channel was launched by businessman A. S. Mahmud after preparatory work involving his son Farhad Mahmud and journalist Simon Dring. In March 1999, Ekushey obtained a fifteen-year terrestrial broadcasting licence and permission to use selected Bangladesh Television infrastructure, including transmission facilities and towers. It began regular transmission on 14 April 2000, initially operating for twelve hours on weekdays and seventeen hours on weekends. Its mix of news, current affairs, cultural programming, drama, music and infotainment rapidly attracted a large audience. The channel became especially notable for its young-journalist news formats and for programs such as Mukto Khabor, the drama Bandhan and the infotainment program Deshjure. During its early terrestrial period, it was widely regarded as Bangladesh's most watched television network and reached an estimated audience of tens of millions, although audience figures were reported claims rather than independently established financial or ratings data. Ekushey's editorial profile also made it politically consequential. Its news output was praised by supporters as comparatively independent and reliable, while opponents accused it of bias against the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its Islamist allies. Legal challenges to its licence began in 2000. In 2001, the High Court temporarily ordered a halt to transmissions, but the Supreme Court allowed the channel to continue at that stage. In 2002, however, the courts upheld a finding that the licence was unlawful. Ekushey ceased terrestrial broadcasting on 29 August 2002 after the Supreme Court rejected its appeal. The shutdown prompted protests from viewers and criticism from Reporters Without Borders. The closure restored Bangladesh Television's terrestrial monopoly for a period. A new licence was granted in April 2005 under the ownership of Abdus Salam. Ekushey conducted satellite test transmissions in 2006 and formally returned on 29 March 2007, later moving to full-day programming. The revived channel could no longer resume its former terrestrial network and instead operated through satellite and cable distribution. It was required to relay Bangladesh Television's nightly news bulletin if it carried news programming. The station subsequently expanded its international reach, including distribution to Bangladeshi communities overseas, and in 2011 became the first Bangladeshi television channel to stream its content worldwide through its website. The post-return period included repeated disputes involving political reporting, broadcast regulation and the limits of private television journalism. The channel was warned about its coverage during the military-backed caretaker period, temporarily lost access to some cable systems after reporting on a BNP rally, and faced regulatory allegations over terrestrial transmission and radio-equipment licensing. In January 2015, its domestic transmission was abruptly interrupted after it aired a speech by BNP politician Tarique Rahman. A sedition case and a separate case involving chairman Abdus Salam followed, although the channel's overseas signal remained available and domestic service later returned. In 2015, S. Alam Group of Industries announced that it had acquired Ekushey at auction. During this period the channel continued to combine news and current affairs with dramas, films, music, imported series, documentaries and public-interest programming. It worked with UNICEF on children's programming, carried foreign drama series, and maintained special institutional and commemorative programming. A fire at its Dhaka headquarters in 2018 caused reported property damage, but did not end the channel's operation. In 2022, a Bangabandhu Corner was opened at the headquarters. Ekushey underwent further leadership changes in 2024. Rabiul Hasan Avi was appointed managing director and chief executive officer in July, replacing Pijush Bandyopadhyay. Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, former chairman and chief executive Abdus Salam returned to the channel and alleged that the S. Alam-era transfer of ownership had been achieved through fraudulent documents and political pressure. Those allegations form part of the channel's contested ownership history and should not be treated as judicially established facts without additional verification. Ekushey remained active, refreshed its news schedule in October 2024 and updated its on-air visual identity in June 2025. Its current brand is therefore best understood as a general-interest Bangladeshi television service whose historical significance rests on pioneering private terrestrial broadcasting, politically sensitive journalism and a later satellite-and-cable operating model.

Plans for a privately owned terrestrial television network emerged in Bangladesh in the late 1990s, when the government opened the possibility of a second nationwide service alongside Bangladesh Television. Ekushey Television was developed by A. S. Mahmud with the involvement of Farhad Mahmud and journalist Simon Dring. The brand name referred to the Bengali Language Movement of 1952 and the symbolic arrival of the twenty-first century. A fifteen-year licence was issued in March 1999, allowing terrestrial transmission and limited use of Bangladesh Television infrastructure. Ekushey began broadcasting on 14 April 2000. Its launch represented a structural change in Bangladeshi media because it was the first privately owned channel permitted to operate a nationwide terrestrial network. It initially transmitted for a limited number of hours each day, but its news, cultural and entertainment programming quickly made it a leading channel. Its programming included the youth-oriented news show Mukto Khabor, the drama Bandhan and the infotainment program Deshjure. The station's supporters presented its journalism as independent and socially useful, while critics claimed that its political coverage was hostile to the BNP-led opposition. The licence became the subject of court proceedings. A High Court order in September 2001 temporarily threatened the service, although the Supreme Court allowed it to continue at that time. In 2002, the High Court ruled that the licence was unlawful, citing issues including the use of Bangladesh Television facilities. The case also unfolded amid political allegations that the channel had favoured the preceding Awami League government. On 29 August 2002, after the Supreme Court upheld the lower-court position, Ekushey ceased terrestrial transmissions. Reporters Without Borders criticised the closure, and supporters protested outside the court. Founder A. S. Mahmud subsequently left Bangladesh and died in England in 2004. The shutdown returned terrestrial broadcasting to Bangladesh Television's exclusive control. A new licence was granted in April 2005 while the channel was under Abdus Salam's ownership. Ekushey began satellite test transmissions in December 2006, formally returned on 29 March 2007 and moved to full-day broadcasting in June. It resumed as a satellite-and-cable broadcaster rather than a terrestrial network and was required to relay Bangladesh Television's nightly news bulletin when carrying news. The channel later built an international audience through satellite distribution and online streaming, launching worldwide livestreaming in 2011. The revived service continued to face tension between private broadcasting and government regulation. In 2007 it was warned against carrying material critical of the military-backed interim government. In 2008 it was instructed to cancel two popular live talk shows during a wider restriction on privately produced political discussion. In 2009 authorities shut a terrestrial transmission in Chittagong after alleging that Ekushey was using a Bangladesh Telecommunications Company tower without authorisation; the channel said it was only testing the signal. In 2012, the telecommunications regulator accused it of operating without a valid radio-equipment licence and with a withheld frequency, allegations the channel denied. Ekushey's political difficulties intensified in January 2015 when its domestic transmission was interrupted after it broadcast a speech by Tarique Rahman. A sedition case alleged that the speech was false and inflammatory. Chairman Abdus Salam was also arrested in a case concerning an alleged false report aired by the program Ekusher Chokh. The channel's foreign broadcasts continued and domestic distribution gradually resumed. In November 2015, the network announced that S. Alam Group of Industries had acquired it at auction. During the S. Alam period, Ekushey retained a mixed schedule. It aired Bangladeshi films and drama, imported productions such as ThunderCats and foreign television dramas, documentaries and children's content. It signed a UNICEF-related agreement in 2017 concerning children's programming. A fire damaged part of the Dhaka headquarters in November 2018. In 2022, the channel opened a Bangabandhu Corner. Leadership changed again in July 2024 when Rabiul Hasan Avi became managing director and CEO, replacing Pijush Bandyopadhyay. After Sheikh Hasina resigned in August 2024, Abdus Salam returned to Ekushey. He alleged that S. Alam had obtained the channel through fraudulent documents and political direction, claiming that the station's reporting on election irregularities had motivated efforts to control it. These claims are part of a contested public account rather than established findings presented here as fact. Ekushey sponsored the 2024 CJFB Performance Award, refreshed its news schedule in October 2024 and introduced updated motion graphics and an updated on-air look in June 2025. The channel remains a general-interest Bengali broadcaster with a continuing emphasis on news, current affairs, entertainment and cultural programming.

• 2025

  On-air identity refreshed

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Ekushey updated its motion graphics and visual presentation on 1 June.

• 2024

  Leadership transition

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Rabiul Hasan Avi was appointed managing director and CEO in July; Abdus Salam returned later in the year.

• 2015

  Ownership announced under S. Alam Group

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The broadcaster announced that S. Alam Group of Industries had acquired the channel at auction.

• 2011

  Worldwide online streaming introduced

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The channel launched a worldwide livestream through its official website.

• 2007

  Satellite-and-cable relaunch

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Ekushey returned to air on 29 March through satellite and cable distribution.

• 2002

  Terrestrial service closed

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The Supreme Court upheld the finding that the channel's licence was unlawful, and Ekushey ended terrestrial broadcasting.

• 2000

  National terrestrial launch

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Ekushey began regular broadcasts on 14 April as Bangladesh's first privately owned nationwide terrestrial television network.

• 1999

  Terrestrial broadcasting licence granted

  [1]Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Ekushey received a fifteen-year licence and permission to use selected Bangladesh Television transmission infrastructure.

A Bengali-language general-interest broadcaster combining news and current affairs with culture, drama, entertainment and public-interest programming; historically positioned as a private alternative to state broadcasting.

• Broadcast programming · 2000

  News and current affairs

  The channel's news operation is central to its identity. It has carried regular bulletins, live political coverage, current-affairs programs and talk shows, while also producing investigative and public-interest reports. Its journalism was a major source of popularity during the original terrestrial period and a recurring source of political and regulatory controversy after the channel's relaunch.

• Broadcast programming · 2000

  Bangladeshi drama and entertainment

  Ekushey's general-interest schedule includes locally produced drama, television films, music, theatrical films and entertainment features. Bandhan was one of the notable dramas associated with the early channel, while anniversary specials and documentaries have used the broadcaster's own history and Bangladesh's cultural life as subjects.

• Imported television programming · 2016

  International programming

  The channel has periodically carried imported series and films alongside domestic content. Examples mentioned in connection with its programming include ThunderCats, the Chinese drama Turbulence of the Mu Clan and the Iranian drama Blue Whale. These acquisitions complemented the news-led schedule and helped Ekushey compete as a full-service entertainment broadcaster.

• Digital distribution · 2011

  Online livestream

  Ekushey expanded beyond conventional satellite and cable distribution by offering a worldwide livestream through its official website. The service supported access for Bangladeshi viewers abroad and reinforced the channel's reach among diaspora audiences in the United Kingdom, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

• 2024

  Contested ownership allegations

  Following his return to the channel, Abdus Salam alleged that S. Alam obtained ownership through fraudulent documents and political direction. The allegations concern a disputed ownership history and are not presented here as established findings.

  Source

• 2015

  Transmission interruption and legal cases

  After the channel aired a speech by Tarique Rahman, its domestic transmissions were interrupted and a sedition case was filed. Chairman Abdus Salam was also arrested in a separate case relating to an alleged false report broadcast by Ekusher Chokh.

  Source

• 2012

  Radio-equipment and frequency dispute

  The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission accused the channel of broadcasting without the required radio-equipment licence and with an unauthorised frequency. Ekushey denied the allegations and said its documentation and fee payments were current.

  Source

• 2002

  Licence ruling and shutdown

  Bangladeshi courts ruled that Ekushey's terrestrial broadcasting licence was unlawful. The channel ceased broadcasting on 29 August after the Supreme Court rejected its appeal. The case also involved disputes over the use of Bangladesh Television facilities and allegations of political bias.

  Source

Read more

• 2024CJFB Performance Award sponsorship

  Bangladesh

  Ekushey served as the titular sponsor of the twenty-third CJFB Performance Award, organised by the Cultural Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh.

  Outcome. The event was held on 28 December 2024 and connected the channel with Bangladesh's cultural and media community.

  Source
• 2017UNICEF children's programming initiative

  Bangladesh

  Ekushey joined other Bangladeshi television channels in an agreement with UNICEF to broadcast a short children's-programming segment.

  Outcome. The initiative formed part of the channel's public-interest and family programming.

  Source
• 2000Committed to change

  Bangladesh

  Ekushey launched with the slogan “Committed to change,” presenting private broadcasting as a means of broadening Bangladesh's media environment and contributing to social development.

  Outcome. The slogan remained associated with the channel and its reform-oriented early positioning.

  Source

• 2024

  Managing director and CEO replacedOther

  Background

  The broadcaster reorganised its senior management during a period of wider political change.

  Action taken

  Rabiul Hasan Avi was appointed managing director and CEO, replacing Pijush Bandyopadhyay.

  Aftermath

  Abdus Salam returned to the channel later in 2024, creating an additional leadership transition.

  Source

• 2015

  Acquisition by S. Alam Group announcedM&A

  Background

  The network's ownership changed after years of political, legal and regulatory pressure.

  Action taken

  A media release stated that S. Alam Group of Industries had acquired Ekushey at an auction held on 8 October.

  Aftermath

  The channel entered the period commonly described as the S. Alam era, which ended amid later ownership allegations.

  Source

• 2011

  Expansion into global digital distributionStrategy

  Background

  The channel served viewers outside Bangladesh through satellite distribution, particularly members of the Bengali-speaking diaspora.

  Action taken

  Ekushey introduced a worldwide livestream through its official website.

  Aftermath

  The service broadened access beyond domestic cable and satellite systems.

  Source

• 2005

  Return under a satellite-only modelStrategy

  Background

  After the 2002 court-ordered closure, Ekushey obtained a new licence but could not restore its former nationwide terrestrial service.

  Action taken

  The channel resumed through satellite and cable distribution, with conditions concerning the relay of Bangladesh Television's nightly news bulletin.

  Aftermath

  Ekushey rebuilt its audience as a private satellite-and-cable broadcaster and later added worldwide online streaming.

  Source

1. 1Ekushey Televisionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ekushey Television official websiteekushey-tv.com