Image Channel

Image Channel is a private Nepali television broadcaster owned by Image Group of Companies and based in Lazimpat, Kathmandu. The channel began broadcasting on 25 January 1997 through a one-and-a-half-hour programming block carried by Nepal Television. Its initial identity was built around youth and lifestyle content, particularly pop music, women's programming, celebrity interviews, and fashion. Early programs including Image Pop, Button & Trades, AM Guest, and Srijana ko Sansar helped establish the channel with Nepali audiences. The broadcaster later broadened its role beyond a narrowly focused entertainment service. On 11 February 2003, it introduced Image Metro, presenting itself as an inclusive Kathmandu-oriented channel. This development reflected a wider programming ambition encompassing local affairs, public-interest subjects, and urban culture. Alongside entertainment, Image Channel developed news programs, discussion formats, serials, music shows, and other locally produced television content. A major distribution milestone arrived on 5 February 2007, when Image expanded to worldwide satellite transmission. The expansion made it the first Nepali-language satellite television channel, allowing Nepali-language programming to reach viewers outside Nepal as well as audiences across the country. Satellite distribution strengthened the channel's role as a Nepali media brand with an international diaspora reach. Image Channel's programming portfolio includes Image News, Image Sambad, Image Bisesh, and Today News in the news category; music formats such as Image Pop, SMS and More, Music of Your Choice, and Ukali Orali; and reality or cultural programs including Mega Model, Image Lok Kalakar, and Image Rodhi Ghar. The channel has also been associated with recurring awards and pageant events, including the Image Music Awards, Image Awards, Miss Universe Nepal in 2021 and 2022, and Miss Vibhaa in 2024. The Image brand has expanded into digital media as well. On 5 May 2013, the group launched Image Khabar, an online news portal associated with the channel's broader news operation. Image Channel therefore operates as part of a wider media ecosystem that includes television, online news, and radio-related activities under the Image Group of Companies. Its positioning combines Nepali-language broadcasting, locally produced news and entertainment, music promotion, cultural programming, and event-led audience engagement.

Image Channel entered Nepal's television market on 25 January 1997. Rather than beginning as a full-day broadcaster, it initially transmitted a one-and-a-half-hour block through Nepal Television. Its early editorial and entertainment profile emphasized pop music, women's interests, celebrity culture, and fashion. Programs such as Image Pop, Button & Trades, AM Guest, and Srijana ko Sansar gave the young channel recognizable formats and helped it build an audience. As its audience and production ambitions developed, Image broadened beyond its initial lifestyle and music orientation. On 11 February 2003, the organization established Image Metro, describing the service as an inclusive Kathmandu channel. The move signaled a stronger connection with local urban life and a more expansive programming proposition. The channel's output came to include news, interviews, talk shows, entertainment programs, tele serials, and music-based productions. The most important distribution change in the channel's early history occurred on 5 February 2007. Image began worldwide satellite transmission, becoming the first Nepali-language satellite television channel. This transition expanded the potential audience beyond terrestrial and domestic distribution, particularly enabling Nepali-language programming to reach viewers living abroad. Satellite availability also helped position Image as a national and diaspora-facing media brand rather than only a Kathmandu-centered broadcaster. Image's schedule has included several distinct programming families. News offerings have included Image News, Image Sambad, Image Bisesh, and Today News. Music and entertainment formats have included Image Pop, SMS and More, Music of Your Choice, and Ukali Orali. Reality and cultural programming has included Mega Model, Image Lok Kalakar, and Image Rodhi Ghar. These formats demonstrate the channel's combination of information, popular culture, music discovery, and Nepali cultural expression. The Image brand has also used events and competitions to extend its presence beyond ordinary television scheduling. Its associated activities include the Image Music Awards and Image Awards, described in reference material as major music and entertainment award events. The channel has also been connected with Miss Universe Nepal editions held in 2021 and 2022 and Miss Vibhaa in 2024. These events provide opportunities for broadcast content, talent visibility, sponsorship, and audience participation. On 5 May 2013, Image expanded into digital news through the launch of Image Khabar. The portal complemented the channel's television news operations and formed part of the Image Group of Companies' wider media activities, which also include radio-related operations. The group consequently developed a cross-platform presence spanning television, radio, online news, and event programming. The available reference material does not identify a founder, individual executives, financial information, or a precise corporate incorporation structure. It does, however, identify Image Group of Companies as the owner and group associated with the channel. Image Channel's established identity is that of a Nepali-language broadcaster whose development progressed from a short entertainment block to a satellite-distributed television service with news, cultural, music, event, and digital-media extensions.

• 2013

  Image Khabar launches

  [1]Image Channelen.wikipedia.org

  Image launched its online news portal, Image Khabar, on 5 May.

• 2007

  Worldwide satellite transmission begins

  [1]Image Channelen.wikipedia.org

  On 5 February, Image expanded internationally by satellite and became the first Nepali-language satellite channel.

• 2003

  Image Metro introduced

  [1]Image Channelen.wikipedia.org

  On 11 February, Image established Image Metro as an inclusive Kathmandu-oriented channel identity.

• 1997

  Initial broadcast through Nepal Television

  [1]Image Channelen.wikipedia.org

  Image Channel began broadcasting on 25 January with a one-and-a-half-hour block carried through Nepal Television.

A locally produced Nepali-language television and media brand combining news, music, entertainment, cultural programming, events, and satellite distribution for domestic and overseas audiences.

• Television news

  Image News

  A core Image Channel news offering delivering Nepali-language news coverage as part of the broadcaster's information programming.

• Music and entertainment television · 1997

  Image Pop

  One of the channel's early popular programs, reflecting its original focus on pop music and helping establish Image Channel's youth-oriented entertainment identity.

• Talk and current affairs

  Image Sambad

  A discussion-oriented Image program included among the channel's news and public-affairs offerings.

• Reality television

  Mega Model

  A reality-format program associated with Image Channel's modeling and entertainment programming.

• Cultural reality television

  Image Lok Kalakar

  A reality or talent-oriented format focused on Nepali folk performers and cultural entertainment.

• Cultural entertainment

  Image Rodhi Ghar

  A cultural entertainment program associated with Nepali social and musical traditions.

• Online news portal · 2013

  Image Khabar

  An online news service launched by the Image media group in 2013, extending the brand's news activity beyond television.

• 2016

  Facebook page hacking incident

  In April 2016, police arrested a man in Nepalgunj, Banke, in connection with the hacking of an Image Channel Facebook page. The available reference does not provide details about the alleged method, motive, or legal outcome.

  Source

Read more

• 2024Miss Vibhaa

  Nepal

  Image Channel was associated with the Miss Vibhaa event in 2024.

  Source
• 2022Miss Universe Nepal

  Nepal

  Image Channel was again associated with Miss Universe Nepal in 2022.

  Source
• 2021Miss Universe Nepal

  Nepal

  Image Channel was associated with the Miss Universe Nepal event in 2021.

  Source
• Image Music Awards

  Nepal

  A recurring music award event associated with the Image brand and used to recognize and promote Nepali music and performers.

  Source
• Image Awards

  Nepal

  An Image-associated entertainment award event presented as one of the brand's major public-facing activities.

  Source

• 2013

  Launch of Image KhabarProduct launch

  Background

  The Image group had established television news operations and sought to extend its media presence into online publishing.

  Action taken

  Image launched the Image Khabar online news portal on 5 May 2013.

  Aftermath

  The launch created a digital extension of the group's news activity alongside its television and radio-related operations.

  Source

• 2007

  Move to worldwide satellite distributionStrategy

  Background

  Image Channel had developed from a short programming block into a broader Nepali television service and sought distribution beyond its initial domestic transmission arrangement.

  Action taken

  The channel began worldwide satellite transmission on 5 February 2007.

  Aftermath

  The move made Image the first Nepali-language satellite television channel and expanded its potential reach to international Nepali-speaking audiences.

  Source

1. 1Image Channelen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Image Channel official websiteimagechannels.com