The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted licences to two new private television channels, “Next TV” and “Live TV.”
According to the ministry, Mohammad Arifur Rahman Tuhin has received the licence for “Next TV,” while the licence for “Live TV’” has been granted to an individual named Arifur Rahman. The ministry is still in the process of finalising the official regulations regarding these licences.
As per the ministry’s guidelines, any Bangladeshi citizen can apply for a private satellite television channel.
Applicants must submit their national identity card, the company’s organogram, incorporation certificate, trade licence, income tax certificate, bank solvency certificate, project proposal, and affidavit on a non-judicial stamp of Tk 300.
Following this process, the application is reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. After approval of the licence, frequency clearance must be obtained from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Over the past 15 years, during the tenure of the Awami League government, 28 private TV channels have been granted licences. Most of these licence holders are businesspeople, journalists, and politicians with close ties to the government.
Currently, out of the 50 private TV channels approved in Bangladesh, 36 are fully operational, while the remaining 14 are awaiting broadcast approval. In addition, there are 15 Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services. Some other channel applications are still under review.
In 1998, Bangladesh introduced the policy for granting licences to private TV channels. Prior to that, between 1996 and 2001, the Awami League government approved three channels. Under the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, 10 channels were licensed.
In 2009, ten more channels were approved, followed by two in 2010, three in 2011, and 15 channels in 2013.
