{{short description|Bangladeshi TV channel}} {{About|the Bangladesh channel|the defunct Singapore channel|Channel i (Singaporean TV channel)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Channel i | logo = Channel-i.svg | logo_size = 192px | launch_date = {{Start date and age|1999|10|1|df=y}} | picture_format = 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 16:9 576i for SDTV sets) | headquarters = Tejgaon, Dhaka | country = Bangladesh | area = Worldwide | website = {{URL|https://www.channelionline.com}} | owner = Impress Group }} '''Channel i''' ({{langx|bn|চ্যানেল আই}}) is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language satellite and cable television channel owned by Impress Group. It was launched on 1 October 1999, as Bangladesh's first digital television channel. It is one of the oldest satellite television channels in Bangladesh.<ref name=beyond>{{cite news|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/celebrating_bd/celeb_bd18.htm|title=From BTV to ETV and beyond: The television revolution|date=4 February 2006|access-date=1 August 2022|newspaper=The Daily Star|first=Novera|last=Deepita|archive-date=13 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313143917/http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/celebrating_bd/celeb_bd18.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Channel i is broadcast via satellite television using PanAmSat and Bangabandhu-1,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.satbeams.com/channels?beam=10073 |title=Satellite charts - Channel list - Bangabandhu-1 |website=SatBeams |access-date=2021-07-05 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803013636/https://satbeams.com/channels?beam=10073 |url-status=live }}</ref> covering most of Asia and parts of Australia. It is sister to the radio station, Radio Bhumi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.impress-group.org/ |title=Our Subsidiaries |website=Impress Group |access-date=26 July 2017 |archive-date=26 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726201611/http://www.impress-group.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History == Prior to the establishment of the channel, Faridur Reza Sagar established Impress Telefilm, which initially produced small-mini series and one-off shows for state-owned Bangladesh Television.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sagor|first=Faridur Reza|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/the-genesis-of-impress-telefilm-44320|title=The Genesis of Impress Telefilm|date=4 October 2014|access-date=6 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=6 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606033024/https://www.thedailystar.net/the-genesis-of-impress-telefilm-44320|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel i began broadcasting on 1 October 1999 from a small building in the Siddheshwari neighborhood of Dhaka,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-252030|title=Channel i turns 14|date=2 October 2012|access-date=5 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605063500/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-252030|url-status=live}}</ref> with the "Hridoye Bangladesh" (হৃদয়ে বাংলাদেশ; {{lit|Bangladesh in the heart}}) slogan, which is still used as of today.<ref name="channeli5">{{cite news|url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/09/30/d30930140182.htm|title=Channel-i goes 5 steps ahead|date=30 September 2003|access-date=5 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605064840/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/09/30/d30930140182.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It initially broadcast pre-recorded television programs for 12 hours, but was converted to a 24-hour channel within two years of its launch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channelionline.com/about-us/|title=Channel i Online|website=Channel i Official Website|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606212402/http://www.channelionline.com/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 1 October 2001, Channel i began airing news programming.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/54591|script-title=bn:১৭ বছরে পা দিলো চ্যানেল আই|date=30 September 2015|access-date=5 June 2022|work=Jago News 24|language=bn|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605064125/https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/54591|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel launched its website on 30 September 2003.<ref name="channeli5"/> Channel i's news director, Shykh Seraj, created ''Hridoye Mati O Manush'', based on the old Bangladesh Television program ''Mati O Manush'', which debuted on the channel on 21 February 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-24222|title="Hridoye Mati O Manush" turns five|date=21 February 2008|access-date=5 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605065231/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-24222|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2008, the channel began broadcasting ''Sisimpur'' to Bangladeshi children worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moody|first=Annemarie|url=https://www.awn.com/news/bangladeshi-sesame-street-will-broadcast-internationally|title=Bangladeshi Sesame Street Will Broadcast Internationally|date=3 March 2008|access-date=3 July 2022|work=Animation World Network|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703071610/https://www.awn.com/news/bangladeshi-sesame-street-will-broadcast-internationally|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel i had also broadcast modern western-themed telefilms, such as ''Play'', directed by M-SIB, in 2010, thus making them the first Bangladeshi television channel to do so.<ref>{{cite news|title='Most expensive' Bangladeshi telefilm premieres at Doha even..|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/19110/%E2%80%98most-expensive%E2%80%99-bangladeshi-telefilm-premieres-at-doha-event|work=Gulf Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301130748/http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/19110/%E2%80%98most-expensive%E2%80%99-bangladeshi-telefilm-premieres-at-doha-event|archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref> On 11 June 2015, BBC Bangla's ''BBC Probaho'' premiered on Channel i.<ref name="probaho">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2015/06/150611_mb_bbc_probaho_update.amp|script-title=bn:বাংলাদেশে চ্যানেল আই-তে শুরু হলো বিবিসি প্রবাহ|date=11 June 2015|access-date=8 June 2022|work=BBC Bangla|language=bn|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608013023/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2015/06/150611_mb_bbc_probaho_update.amp|url-status=live}}</ref>
Channel i was one of the nine Bangladeshi television channels to sign an agreement with Bdnews24.com to subscribe to a video-based news agency run by children called ''Prism'' in May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/media-en/prism-signs-up-with-7-tv-channels |title=Prism signs up with 7 TV channels |date=17 May 2016 |access-date=1 November 2022 |work=BDNews24 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101065322/https://bdnews24.com/media-en/prism-signs-up-with-7-tv-channels |url-status=live}}</ref> Channel i began high definition broadcasts on 15 September 2017, and fully migrated from standard definition broadcasts on 1 October.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.channelionline.com/%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0/ |script-title=bn:লাল সবুজের চ্যানেল আইয়ের 'এইচডি' সম্প্রচার শুরু |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=Channel i Online |language=bn |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605063339/https://www.channelionline.com/%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-khobor/article/17094934/%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87 |script-title=bn:১ অক্টোবর থেকে এইচডি ফরমেটে চ্যানেল আই |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=Samakal |language=bn |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605070342/https://samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-khobor/article/17094934/%E0%A7%A7-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87 |url-status=live}}</ref> For Bangladesh Television's 55th anniversary on 25 December 2019, Channel i organized a special program in its headquarters in Tejgaon, which was broadcast on both networks.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:চ্যানেল আই চত্বরে বিটিভি'র জন্মদিন! |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/600497/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E2%80%99%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8 |date=25 December 2019 |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=Bangla Tribune |language=bn |archive-date=9 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109194154/https://www.banglatribune.com/600497/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E2%80%99%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== iScreen === '''iScreen''' is Impress Group's streaming service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://iscreen.com.bd/about-company |access-date=21 February 2025 |title=About Companyy |website=iscreen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2023 |title=Channel i's OTT platform 'iScreen' joins the OTT race |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/channel-ott-platform-iscreen-joins-the-ott-race-3273536 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> It has films, web series, theaters, and stage plays.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2024|title=Stage plays are now available on OTT |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/theatre-arts/news/stage-plays-are-now-available-ott-3563346 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310083754/https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/theatre-arts/news/stage-plays-are-now-available-ott-3563346 |url-status=live}}</ref> A series was blocked by the Bangladeshi censor board of the service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-30 |title=Vicky Zahed announces new series inspired by real-life tragedy |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/vicky-zahed-announces-new-series-inspired-real-life-tragedy-3716276 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002025912/https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/vicky-zahed-announces-new-series-inspired-real-life-tragedy-3716276 |url-status=live}}</ref> Another film was also censored.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangladesh Censor Board blocks release of 'Omimangshito' |url=https://bdnews24.com/entertainment/lb5iq9rjcj |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=bdnews24.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Programming == === Current and former === * ''420''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/news/farookis-420-returns-channel-i-today-1972797|title=Farooki’s '420' returns to Channel i today|date=5 October 2020|access-date=7 July 2022|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707075406/https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/news/farookis-420-returns-channel-i-today-1972797|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''BBC Bangladesh Shonglap''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-102694|title=BBC Bangladesh Shonglap on Channel i|date=23 August 2009|access-date=7 July 2022|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707075410/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-102694|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''BBC Probaho''<ref name="probaho"/> * ''Channel i Music Awards'' * ''Channel i Shera Kontho''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/7th-channel-i-shera-kontho-air-tomorrow-3310191|title=7th ‘Channel i Shera Kontho’ to air tomorrow|date=3 May 2023|access-date=3 December 2024|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=23 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223195804/https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/7th-channel-i-shera-kontho-air-tomorrow-3310191|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Channel i Shera Nachiye''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-others/64248/grand-finale-of-channel-i-shera-nachiye-airs|title=Grand finale of Channel i Shera Nachiye airs tonight|date=12 May 2014|access-date=3 December 2022|website=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> * ''Dainik Tolpar''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-32551|title="Dainik Tolpar" begins on Channel-i tonight|date=18 April 2008|access-date=7 July 2022|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707075406/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-32551|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Ekjon Mayaboti''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/tv/%E2%80%9Cekjon-mayaboti%E2%80%9D-channel-i-134638|title="Ekjon Mayaboti" on Channel i|date=30 August 2015|access-date=7 July 2022|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707075408/https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/tv/%E2%80%9Cekjon-mayaboti%E2%80%9D-channel-i-134638|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Ghor Kutum''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-25637?amp|title=Ghor Kutum's Gauhar: Khushi in the real life|date=2 March 2008|access-date=18 December 2021|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218104500/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-25637?amp|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Hridoye Mati O Manush'' * ''Khude Gaanraj''<ref>{{cite news |date=10 September 2015 |title=Khude Gaanraj Grand finale tomorrow |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/interview/khude-gaanraj-grand-finale-tomorrow-140395 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=The Daily Star |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331100421/https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/interview/khude-gaanraj-grand-finale-tomorrow-140395 |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Lux Channel I Superstar'' * ''Priyo Din Priyo Rat''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/entertainment/news/436297|title=আসছে ‘প্রিয় দিন প্রিয় রাত’|language=bn|date=28 June 2018|access-date=18 December 2021|website=Jagonews24.com|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218105809/https://www.jagonews24.com/amp/436297|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Sakin Sarisuri'' * ''Saat Bhai Champa''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/entertainment/news/410852|script-title=bn:ফেব্রুয়ারির শেষ দিন থেকে শুরু ‘সাত ভাই চম্পা’|date=19 February 2018|access-date=8 June 2022|website=Jago News 24|language=bn|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608013611/https://www.jagonews24.com/amp/410852|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Sonar Pakhi Rupar Pakhi''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/tv/shonar-pakhi-rupar-pakhi-the-making-1207096?amp|title=Shonar Pakhi Rupar Pakhi in the making|date=11 April 2016|access-date=18 December 2021|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218105808/https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/tv/shonar-pakhi-rupar-pakhi-the-making-1207096?amp|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''Sisimpur'' * ''Tritiyo Matra'' * ''Vober Hat''
== Audience share == In 2010, Channel i held a total audience share of 36%, tied with ATN Bangla. In urban areas, the channel had an audience share of 62%, the highest among privately owned channels in Bangladesh, and in metropolitan areas, it had a share of 61%.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hasan|first=Khalid|url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2010/june/TV.htm|title=TV 2010|date=June 2010|access-date=21 August 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=1 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901053056/http://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2010/june/TV.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel i was ranked highest among most watched television channels in Bangladesh during its founding anniversary in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.risingbd.com/law-crime/news/15479|script-title=bn:জন্মদিনে টিআরপির শীর্ষে চ্যানেল আই|date=30 September 2013|access-date=8 July 2022|work=RisingBD|language=bn|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708052914/https://www.risingbd.com/amp/law-crime/news/15479|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== * List of television stations in Bangladesh
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Television in Bangladesh}} {{Bengali language television channels}}
Category:Channel i Category:Television channels and stations established in 1999 Category:Television channels in Bangladesh Category:Foreign television channels broadcasting in the United Kingdom Category:Mass media in Dhaka Category:1999 establishments in Bangladesh