Jamuna TV

Jamuna TV, formally known as Jamuna Television, is a Bangladeshi news and current-affairs broadcaster owned by the privately held Jamuna Group. The channel takes its name from the Jamuna River and operates from the Jamuna Future Park complex on Pragati Sarani in Dhaka. Its output centers on rolling news, political reporting, investigative programs, interviews, talk shows, public-affairs coverage, and video content distributed through television and online platforms. The channel's route to launch was unusually prolonged. In 2002, it received a no-objection certificate authorizing broadcasting for five years on both terrestrial and satellite platforms. The authorization was revoked by the BNP-led government in 2005 without a publicly explained reason. Jamuna Television challenged the decision successfully in the High Court, although the government appealed. The original channel later began test transmissions on 15 October 2009. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission shut the test service down on 19 November, alleging that it was broadcasting without valid authorization. In 2010, the High Court held that the government order stopping the service was valid. A new license was granted on 29 July 2013, enabling the project to be relaunched. Jamuna Television officially began broadcasting on 5 April 2014. The launch established it as one of Bangladesh's privately owned television news outlets and connected the broadcaster to the wider Jamuna Group media and business interests. British journalist and foreign correspondent Simon Dring, who had previously served as managing director of Ekushey Television, joined the channel as a staff member during its early development. Jamuna TV has pursued both conventional broadcasting and digital distribution. In May 2016, it joined eight other Bangladeshi television channels in an agreement with Bdnews24.com to subscribe to Prism, a video-based news agency produced by children. In May 2019, the channel and five other broadcasters signed an agreement with Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited to transmit through the Bangladesh-1 satellite. Its online reach has become particularly significant: according to the cited Wikipedia reference, Jamuna Television's official YouTube channel was the most subscribed YouTube channel from Bangladesh as of 2023. The broadcaster has also operated in a difficult environment for journalists and news organizations. Jamuna TV reporters and employees have faced physical attacks while covering local events and alleged criminal or regulatory violations. During the 2018 Bangladeshi general election, the channel was temporarily taken off air. Several defamation proceedings were also brought against Jamuna TV, sometimes jointly with the Jamuna Group newspaper Jugantor, over reports concerning public officials, telecommunications companies, and major corporate groups. These disputes reflect the legal and political pressures affecting Bangladeshi broadcast media, while also making editorial accountability and the protection of reporters important issues for the brand. On 5 March 2022, Fahim Ahmed was appointed chief executive officer. Jamuna TV remains an active Bangladeshi broadcast and digital news brand, with its principal identity built around national news, current affairs, investigative journalism, and rapid online video distribution.

Jamuna Television's development began in 2002, when it received a no-objection certificate for a five-year period covering terrestrial and satellite broadcasting. In 2005, the BNP-led government revoked the broadcasting authorization. Jamuna challenged the action in court, and the High Court initially permitted broadcasting, but the government appealed. By the time the dispute continued, the original certificate had expired. The channel attempted to establish service through test broadcasting on 15 October 2009. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission stopped the transmission on 19 November, alleging that Jamuna TV had been broadcasting illegally. In 2010, the High Court ruled that the government order halting the channel was valid. A later licensing decision changed the channel's prospects: on 29 July 2013, Jamuna Television was again granted a license to relaunch. The channel officially launched on 5 April 2014. It was founded by Nurul Islam Babul, founder and former chairman of the Jamuna Group, and became part of the group's media portfolio. Its headquarters were established at the Jamuna Future Park complex on Pragati Sarani in Baridhara, Dhaka. British foreign correspondent Simon Dring, formerly managing director of Ekushey Television, joined Jamuna Television as a staff member during its early period. Jamuna TV expanded its news-production and distribution relationships over the following years. In May 2016, it joined eight other Bangladeshi television channels in an agreement with Bdnews24.com to subscribe to Prism, a video-based news agency run by children. The arrangement linked the channel to a wider effort to produce youth-oriented video journalism. The organization also experienced the risks associated with reporting in Bangladesh. In December 2018, journalists working for Jamuna Television and the group's newspaper Jugantor were attacked in Nawabganj Upazila of Dhaka; ten people were injured. During the 2018 general election, Jamuna Television was temporarily taken off air. In January 2019, three Jamuna TV journalists were assaulted at a rehabilitation center in Bogra, and police arrested three alleged participants. In November 2016, senior reporter Shakil Hasan and video journalist Shaheen Alam were attacked while reporting on an allegedly illegal polythene-bag factory in Dhaka's Chawkbazar area; the account cited an attempt to set one journalist on fire with kerosene. Distribution infrastructure changed in 2019. On 19 May, Jamuna Television and five other channels began using the Bangladesh-1 satellite under an agreement with Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited. Alongside its television presence, the brand developed a major digital audience. The cited reference describes its official YouTube channel as the most subscribed channel from Bangladesh as of 2023. Editorial disputes have included several defamation cases. A 2015 report by the program Investigation 360 concerning Climate Fund expenditure and the construction of Sheikh Russell Aviary Park led to a case involving then environment minister Hasan Mahmud. Grameenphone filed a defamation case in October 2015 over reporting it characterized as false. Jamuna TV and Jugantor also faced proceedings involving PRAN-RFL Group, Robi, and the National Board of Revenue. These cases form part of the channel's documented legal and editorial history, although the available reference does not establish final outcomes for all of them. On 5 March 2022, Fahim Ahmed became chief executive officer. In 2025, India's YouTube restrictions affected Jamuna TV's digital distribution: its channel was geo-blocked in India on 9 May amid stated national-security concerns during the India–Pakistan conflict. Jamuna Television remains an active Bangladeshi satellite, cable, and digital news broadcaster.

• 2023

  Major YouTube audience milestone

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The official YouTube channel was described as the most subscribed channel from Bangladesh as of 2023.

• 2022

  CEO appointment

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Fahim Ahmed was appointed chief executive officer on 5 March.

• 2019

  Bangladesh-1 satellite distribution

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The channel began broadcasting through Bangladesh-1 under an agreement with Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited.

• 2016

  Prism content partnership

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Jamuna TV joined a Bdnews24.com video-news subscription arrangement involving nine Bangladeshi television channels.

• 2014

  Official launch

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Jamuna Television officially launched on 5 April as a Bangladeshi news and current-affairs channel.

• 2013

  License granted for relaunch

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Jamuna Television received a new license on 29 July, clearing the way for its return.

• 2010

  High Court upholds shutdown order

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The High Court ruled that the government order stopping Jamuna TV's broadcasting was valid.

• 2009

  Test broadcasting begins and is stopped

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The original channel began test transmissions on 15 October but was shut down by the BTRC on 19 November over an alleged lack of legal authorization.

• 2005

  Broadcasting rights revoked

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The BNP-led government revoked the channel's broadcasting rights, prompting legal action by Jamuna Television.

• 2002

  Initial broadcasting authorization

  [1]Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Jamuna Television received a no-objection certificate authorizing terrestrial and satellite broadcasting for five years.

A privately owned Bangladeshi news and current-affairs broadcaster combining television reporting with high-volume digital video distribution.

• Satellite and cable television · 2014

  Jamuna TV television news service

  The core Jamuna TV service is a privately owned Bangladeshi satellite and cable channel focused on rolling news, national affairs, politics, public issues, interviews, and current-affairs programming. Its distribution has included Bangladesh-1 satellite transmission since 2019.

• Investigative journalism program

  Investigation 360

  Investigation 360 is an investigative program associated with Jamuna Television. A 2015 episode concerning Climate Fund spending and the construction of Sheikh Russell Aviary Park became the subject of a defamation case, making the program part of the channel's documented editorial and legal history.

• Digital video news

  Jamuna Television official YouTube channel

  The official YouTube presence extends Jamuna TV's news and current-affairs output beyond linear broadcasting through online video. The cited reference identifies it as the most subscribed YouTube channel from Bangladesh as of 2023.

• 2018

  PRAN-RFL Group defamation case

  Jamuna Television and Jugantor were sued by PRAN-RFL Group in another defamation dispute. The available reference does not provide the final outcome.

  Source

• 2015

  Defamation case over Investigation 360 report

  A report on Investigation 360 concerning alleged Climate Fund expenditure on Sheikh Russell Aviary Park led to a defamation case under sections 501 and 502 involving Jamuna Television and the then environment minister Hasan Mahmud.

  Source

• 2015

  Grameenphone defamation complaint

  Grameenphone filed a defamation case against Jamuna Television and Jugantor on 19 October over reporting that the company characterized as false.

  Source

Read more

• 2019

  Move to Bangladesh-1 satellite distributionStrategy

  Background

  The broadcaster sought satellite distribution alongside its existing television operations.

  Action taken

  Jamuna TV signed an agreement with Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited and began broadcasting via Bangladesh-1 on 19 May.

  Aftermath

  The channel joined other Bangladeshi broadcasters using the country's Bangladesh-1 satellite platform.

  Source

• 2016

  Participation in Prism video-news agreementStrategy

  Background

  Bangladeshi broadcasters were seeking additional video news sources and distribution partnerships.

  Action taken

  Jamuna TV joined eight other television channels in subscribing to Bdnews24.com's Prism video news agency.

  Aftermath

  The agreement connected Jamuna TV with a child-produced video-news initiative.

  Source

• 2013

  Relaunch after obtaining a new licenseStrategy

  Background

  Earlier authorization disputes, a 2009 shutdown, and a 2010 court ruling had prevented the original service from continuing.

  Action taken

  Jamuna Television secured a new broadcasting license on 29 July 2013 and proceeded toward an official relaunch.

  Aftermath

  The channel officially began broadcasting in April 2014.

  Source

1. 1Jamuna Televisionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Jamuna TV official websitejamuna.tv