{{Short description|Bangladeshi television channel}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Ekushey Television<br />{{lang|bn|একুশে টেলিভিশন}} | logo = Ekushey Television Logo.svg | logo_size = 200px | image = Headquarter of Ekushey Television.jpg | caption = The headquarters of Ekushey Television in Kawran Bazar | country = Bangladesh | area = Nationwide<br/>Worldwide (via online) | founder = A. S. Mahmud<br/>Simon Dring | owner = | key_people = {{Plainlist| * Abdus Salam (chairman and CEO) * Tasnova Mahbub Salam (vice chairman and managing director)<ref name="ekushey">{{cite news|url=https://www.ekushey-tv.com/নতুন-রূপে-আসছে-একুশে-টিভি%C2%A0/1360873111111162863|script-title=bn:নতুন রূপে আসছে একুশে টিভি|date=31 May 2025|access-date=11 February 2026|work=Ekushey Television|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726205143/https://www.ekushey-tv.com/নতুন-রূপে-আসছে-একুশে-টিভি%C2%A0/1360873111111162863|archive-date=26 July 2025}}</ref> }} | sister_channels = | headquarters = Kawran Bazar, Dhaka | launch_date = {{Start date and age|2000|4|14|df=y}} (original)<br>{{Start date and age|2007|03|29|df=y}} (relaunch) | closed_date = {{End date and age|2002|08|29|df=y}} (original) | picture_format = 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 16:9 576i for SDTV sets) | website = {{URL|ekushey-tv.com}} }}
'''Ekushey Television''' ({{langx|bn|একুশে টেলিভিশন}}; {{lit|twenty-first}}, in reference to 21 February),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Biswas|first1=Sailendra|title=Samsad Bengali-English dictionary. 3rd ed.|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/biswas-bengali_query.py?page=183|publisher=Sahitya Samsad|location=Calcutta|page=183|date=2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629171644/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/biswas-bengali_query.py?page=183|archive-date=29 June 2020}}</ref> also known by its acronym '''ETV''', is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language privately owned satellite and cable television channel. It is headquartered in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, and is Bangladesh's first privately owned television channel to broadcast news and current affairs programming.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rahman|first=Anis|url=https://sfu.academia.edu/AnisRahman/Papers/210915/A_Political_Economy_of_the_Emerging_Television_News_Industry_in_Bangladesh|title=A Political Economy of the Emerging Television News Industry in Bangladesh | Anis Rahman - Academia.edu|publisher=Sfu.academia.edu|date=2009|access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref>
Ekushey Television was launched on 14 April 2000 by A. S. Mahmud, with the "Poribortone Ongikarboddho" (পরিবর্তনে অঙ্গীকারবদ্ধ; {{lit|Committed to change}}) slogan, which is still used today,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-entertainment/article/210493963/২২-বছরে-একুশে-টেলিভিশন|script-title=bn:২২ বছরে একুশে টেলিভিশন|date=14 April 2021|access-date=5 June 2022|work=Samakal|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922050603/https://www.samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-entertainment/article/210493963/%E0%A7%A8%E0%A7%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8|archive-date=22 September 2022}}</ref> as a privately owned nationwide terrestrial television network, the first of its kind in Bangladesh and the region of South Asia in general.<ref name="asmahmud">{{Cite news|title=A.S. Mahmud: A man of vision remembered|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/a-s-mahmud-a-man-of-vision-remembered-7815|last=Dring|first=Simon|date=22 January 2014|access-date=2 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602052025/https://www.thedailystar.net/a-s-mahmud-a-man-of-vision-remembered-7815|archive-date=2 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="moreover"/> It quickly gained popularity around Bangladesh and became the most watched television network there. Ekushey also ended the government's monopoly on terrestrial television in the country.
Ekushey Television was later shut down in 2002 by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government after being accused of telecasting news reports biased against them and operating under an "illegal" license. After gaining a license to resume their broadcasts in 2005, Ekushey returned to the air on 29 March 2007, exclusively on satellite and cable television,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSDHA175097|title=Bangladesh's ETV resumes telecast as ban ends|work=Reuters|date=30 March 2007|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115034916/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSDHA175097|archive-date=15 November 2021}}</ref> as they were unable to resume broadcasts on terrestrial.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/Fifty-Fifty-Anniversary-Special/2021/01/14/994657|script-title=bn:সাংস্কৃতিক বোধ বদলে দেওয়া একুশে টিভি|date=14 January 2021|access-date=4 August 2022|work=Kaler Kantho|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804165145/https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/Fifty-Fifty-Anniversary-Special/2021/01/14/994657|archive-date=4 August 2022}}</ref>
Notable for being one of the country's earliest privately owned television channels, Ekushey Television had once dominated the Bangladeshi television market during its existence in terrestrial television. It had also committed to bringing change to the country and its society.<ref name="asmahmud"/> Ekushey also broadcast worldwide, including to the United Kingdom via satellite for the Bangladeshi diaspora there, and in several other regions such as the rest of Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian state of West Bengal.<ref name="borderless"/><ref name="private"/>
==History== ===1997–2002: Original terrestrial launch=== Plans for a privately owned terrestrial television network in Bangladesh date back to early 1997 when Farhad Mahmud, son of A.S. Mahmud, chatted with Simon Dring.<ref name="moreover"/> Although privately owned channels in Bangladesh, which were ATN Bangla and Channel i, did exist at the time, they had no rights to broadcast on terrestrial television, and only Bangladesh Television had the authority to do so. However, in 1996, the government of Bangladesh came up with plans to launch a second nationwide television network that would broadcast on both terrestrial and satellite television, with the slot being offered to privately owned broadcasters.<ref name="borderless">{{cite book|last1=Thomas|first1=Amos Owen|title=Imagi-Nations and Borderless Television: Media, Culture, and Politics Across Asia|date=15 September 2005|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=8132103599|page=78|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l8uGAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA78|access-date=5 July 2022}}</ref>
The name 'Ekushey' was chosen because, according to Dring, it is an allusion to the Bengali language movement of 1952, which occurred on 21 February in that year, and the upcoming 21st century. In March 1999, Ekushey Television gained a fifteen-year license, allowing them to broadcast on terrestrial television. They were also allowed to use Bangladesh Television's facilities, the network's five earth stations, and share BTV's towers to broadcast.<ref name="private"/> Initially, the channel was scheduled to commence its operations on 16 December 1999, which was victory day.<ref name="moreover">{{cite news|last=Chowdhury|first=Afsan|date=1999|title=Move over BTV|url=https://www.himalmag.com/more-over-btv/|newspaper=Himal Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921222327/https://www.himalmag.com/more-over-btv/|archive-date=21 September 2022}}</ref>
Eventually, Ekushey Television officially began transmissions on 14 April 2000, as the country's first privately owned terrestrial television network, broadcasting for twelve hours a weekday and seventeen hours on weekends.<ref name="moreover"/> It covered half the country's population, and immediately gained popularity among locals.<ref name="beyond">{{cite news|last=Deepita|first=Novera|date=2006|title=From BTV to ETV and beyond: The television revolution|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/celebrating_bd/celeb_bd18.htm|newspaper=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517195055/https://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/celebrating_bd/celeb_bd18.htm|archive-date=17 May 2023}}</ref> With its diverse range of programming, including news, culture, and entertainment, Ekushey Television managed to gain 40 million viewers, and claimed to be the most watched television network in Bangladesh.<ref name="private"/><ref name="asmahmud"/> It had also helped with the prevention of the massive spread of Indian television channels in the country, which was happening since the Government of Bangladesh allowed satellite television in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chowdhury|first=Parvez|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2011/12/01/entertainment.htm|title=Television in Bangladesh|date=1 December 2011|access-date=12 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922115040/https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2011/12/01/entertainment.htm|archive-date=22 September 2022}}</ref>
Many of the popular television programs broadcast by Ekushey include ''Mukto Khabor'', a news program involving young journalists, the soap opera ''Bandhan'', and ''Deshjure'', an infotainment program regarding the life of Bangladeshi people. Ekushey's news programming was also considered to be unbiased and reliable.<ref name="asmahmud"/><ref name="everyone">{{cite web|last=Quadri|first=Adnan|url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/rising/2007/03/05/index.htm|title=Ekushey to everyone|date=29 March 2007|access-date=12 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171528/https://archive.thedailystar.net/rising/2007/03/05/index.htm|archive-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> Dring had described Ekushey Television as the window to the outside world for many Bangladeshis.<ref name="tvchief"/> Ekushey Television used the VHF band for broadcasting,<ref name="coverage">{{cite web|title=Coverage|url=http://www.ekusheytv.com/htmldoc/corporate/coverage.html|access-date=6 January 2023|website=Ekushey Television|date=16 August 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020816181919/http://www.ekusheytv.com/htmldoc/corporate/coverage.html|archive-date=16 August 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Chai|first1=Teresa|title=A Multimedia Literacy Project Toward Biblical Literacy in Bangladesh|date=30 September 2020|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=978-1725286160|page=69|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kTcEEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA69|access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> and also used the facilities reserved for Bangladesh Television's second terrestrial television station, which were left unused.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shoesmith|first1=Brian|last2=Genilo|first2=Jude William|title=Bangladeshs Changing Mediascape: From State Control to Market Forces|date=1 September 2013|publisher=Intellect Books|isbn=978-1783201259|page=279|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O7erDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT279|access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref>
In late 2001, the channel was made available in Qatari MMDS television operator Qatar Cablevision (owned by Qtel on a tailored package for South Asian immigrants.<ref>QCV Packages For MMDS Customers. (2001, Oct 21). Middle East News Online</ref>
==== License controversy and shutdown ==== In September 2000, two Dhaka University teachers and a pro-BNP journalist filed a suit, alleging that the agreement between Ekushey Television and the government of Bangladesh was unlawful. This claim was denied by the network.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pearson|first=Bryan|url=https://variety.com/2002/legit/news/ruling-takes-etv-off-airwaves-1117872051/|title=Ruling takes ETV off airwaves|date=29 August 2002|access-date=16 July 2022|work=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804075613/https://variety.com/2002/legit/news/ruling-takes-etv-off-airwaves-1117872051/|archive-date=4 August 2022}}</ref> On 26 September 2001, Ekushey Television was ordered by the High Court of Bangladesh to temporarily halt broadcasts amid the upcoming general election, as they had ruled that the network had no proper rights to do so. Later, the Supreme Court overturned the order and Ekushey was allowed to resume broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Blow for Bangladesh broadcaster|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1564791.stm|date=26 September 2001|access-date=4 June 2022|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505202325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1564791.stm|archive-date=5 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Reprieve for Bangladesh broadcaster|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1567342.stm|date=27 September 2001|access-date=4 June 2022|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021229094822/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1567342.stm|archive-date=29 December 2002}}</ref>
In March 2002, shortly after the BNP government of Bangladesh took over, the High Court declared that the license issued to Ekushey for broadcasting was "illegal". They were also accused of "unfairly" using the facilities of Bangladesh Television, and for being biased against the BNP and its Islamist allies, although Ekushey denied those claims and stated that their news programming was not politically aligned and was always neutral.<ref name="possible">{{Cite news|title=Bangladesh TV faces possible closure|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1896676.stm|date=27 March 2002|access-date=2 June 2022|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922011926/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1896676.stm|archive-date=22 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="private">{{Cite news|title=Private Bangladesh TV goes off air|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2223230.stm|date=29 August 2002|access-date=2 June 2022|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922000136/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2223230.stm|archive-date=22 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Bangladesh's Ekushey Television off air as of Thursday|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k2/aug/aug174.htm|date=31 August 2005|access-date=2 June 2022|work=Indian Television|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617014533/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k2/aug/aug174.htm|archive-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> The judges gave Ekushey ten days to appeal to the Supreme Court, otherwise they would have to cease broadcasts. Supporters of the network argued that Ekushey Television's license was granted by the previous rival Awami League government, and thus became the target of the BNP-led government.<ref name="possible"/>
On 29 August 2002, Ekushey Television was forced to cease all broadcasts at 17:00 (BST), with a formal announcement broadcast shortly before its closure, following a verdict from the Supreme Court that the license issued to the network was "illegal", after upholding the High Court's exact declaration and rejecting its appeal. The move to shut Ekushey Television down was protested by the RSF, and many people in Bangladesh gathered outside the court in solidarity with the network.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ifex.org/government-closes-leading-private-television-station-after-court-withdraws-licence/|title=Government closes leading private television station after court withdraws licence|date=30 August 2002|access-date=16 July 2022|work=IFEX|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716074932/https://ifex.org/government-closes-leading-private-television-station-after-court-withdraws-licence/|archive-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> The general-secretary of RSF, Robert Ménard, sent a letter to information minister Tariqul Islam, saying that the closure of ETV was "a dramatic backward step for viewers in Bangladesh".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://rsf.org/en/government-closes-leading-ekushey-television-after-court-withdraws-licence|title=Government closes leading Ekushey Television after court withdraws licence|date=29 August 2002|access-date=5 September 2024|work=Reporters Without Borders|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424185202/https://rsf.org/en/government-closes-leading-ekushey-television-after-court-withdraws-licence|archive-date=24 April 2023}}</ref>
After Ekushey's closure, the founder of the network, A.S. Mahmud, left Bangladesh for England with his family and later died there on 22 January 2004.<ref name="asmahmud"/> Thus, Bangladesh Television once again remained the only Bangladeshi television network to broadcast on terrestrial television as of today. In October 2002, the work permits of Ekushey Television's Britain-based managing director Simon Dring and three other executives were cancelled by the government, and Dring was ordered to leave Bangladesh.<ref name="tvchief">{{cite news|last=Hossain|first=Moazzem|date=1 October 2002|title=Bangladesh tells TV chief to leave|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2289982.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=6 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518102712/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2289982.stm|archive-date=18 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lawson-Tancred|first=Alastair|date=2 October 2002|title='Hero' journalist expelled from Bangladesh|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/1408933/Hero-journalist-expelled-from-Bangladesh.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615214337/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/1408933/Hero-journalist-expelled-from-Bangladesh.html|archive-date=15 June 2022}}</ref>
===2007: Ekushey's return to the air=== On 14 April 2005, Ekushey Television, at the time under Abdus Salam's ownership, was granted a license to resume broadcasting using its previous facilities, after applying for it three months before,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2005/07/07/ekushey-television-re-launch-faces-uncertainty|title=Ekushey Television re-launch faces uncertainty|date=7 July 2005|access-date=4 August 2022|work=BDNews24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804165054/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2005/07/07/ekushey-television-re-launch-faces-uncertainty|archive-date=4 August 2022}}</ref> but were only allowed to do so via satellite television.<ref>{{Cite news|title=ETV gets fresh licence|url=https://online.thedailystar.net/2005/04/13/d50413012117.html|date=13 April 2005|access-date=2 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515145252/https://online.thedailystar.net/2005/04/13/d50413012117.html|archive-date=15 May 2026}}</ref> They were also obliged to relay the nightly news bulletin of Bangladesh Television if they were to broadcast news programming.<ref name="television">{{cite book|last1=Roy|first1=Ratan Kumar|title=Television in Bangladesh: News and Audiences|date=28 December 2020|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1000332742|page=40|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JW0LEAAAQBAJ&dq=television+in+bangladesh&pg=PT40|access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref> Ekushey commenced its satellite test transmissions on 1 December the following year.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 December 2006|title=ETV goes on air again after over 4 years|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/12/02/d6120201159.htm|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=6 August 2014|archive-date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206170744/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/12/02/d6120201159.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> It officially resumed broadcasting on 29 March 2007,<ref name="everyone"/> and started full-day transmissions on 1 June. On 23 August 2007, Ekushey Television and CSB News, with the latter ceasing operations a few days later, were warned by the military-backed government of Bangladesh to avoid airing any news or documentaries against them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6982409.stm|title=Bangladesh news channel off air|date=6 September 2007|access-date=13 August 2024|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115162137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6982409.stm|archive-date=15 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-1332|title=Govt asks ETV, CSB to refrain from telecasting provocative items|date=24 August 2007|access-date=2 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813170117/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-1332|archive-date=13 August 2024}}</ref>
On 24 January 2008, Ekushey Television received a fax message, telling them to cancel the telecast of the channel's two popular live talk shows. This was part of the avoidance of talk shows aired on privately owned television channels ordered by the government at the time.<ref name="talkshow">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-20663|title=TV channels asked to avoid live talk shows|date=26 January 2008|access-date=7 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610093358/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-20663|archive-date=10 June 2022}}</ref> On 6 January 2009, as Ekushey Television was caught allegedly broadcasting on terrestrial television in Chittagong illegally using a tower of BTCL, even after the government of Bangladesh ruled that no television channel would have authority to broadcast on terrestrial television other than BTV, local police shut the terrestrial transmission after the Chittagong station of Bangladesh Television filed a general diary against the network. The authorities of Ekushey, however, denied that they were broadcasting illegally on terrestrial, stating that they were testing terrestrial broadcasts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2009/01/07/etv-caught-transmitting-terrestrial-signals|title=ETV caught transmitting terrestrial signals|date=7 January 2009|access-date=15 July 2022|work=Bdnews24.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023062322/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2009/01/07/etv-caught-transmitting-terrestrial-signals|archive-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
In 2011, Ekushey Television became the first Bangladeshi television channel to live stream its content worldwide via its official website. The channel was considered to be the most popular television channel in Bangladesh due to its news and other innovative programming.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 April 2009|title=Bad instance by Ekushey TV owner|url=http://www.weeklyblitz.net/230/bad-instance-by-ekushey-tv-owner|newspaper=Weekly Blitz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230123927/http://www.weeklyblitz.net/230/bad-instance-by-ekushey-tv-owner|archive-date=30 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Choudhury|first1=Salah Uddin Shoaib|date=30 April 2010|title=Shutting down private TV channels|url=http://www.weeklyblitz.net/691/shutting-down-private-tv-channels|newspaper=Weekly Blitz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505232538/http://www.weeklyblitz.net/691/shutting-down-private-tv-channels|archive-date=5 May 2010}}</ref> On 12 March 2012, cable operators in many areas around Bangladesh have imposed a temporary blackout on Ekushey Television, along with the unrelated Banglavision, after both channels have reported on a BNP rally in detail.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2012/03/120312_mb_rally_tv.amp|script-title=bn:বাংলাভিশন ও একুশে টিভি বন্ধ|date=12 March 2012|access-date=6 June 2022|work=BBC Bangla|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101090643/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2012/03/120312_mb_rally_tv.amp|archive-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> On 13 April 2013, Deutsche Welle's Bengali language science and technology television series, ''Onneshon'', premiered on Ekushey Television.<ref name="onneshon">{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/deutsche-welles-first-bengali-tv-show-onneshon-premieres-in-bangladesh/a-16744764|title=Deutsche Welle's first Bengali TV show Onneshon premieres in Bangladesh|date=16 April 2013|access-date=7 June 2022|work=Deutsche Welle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607093835/https://www.dw.com/en/deutsche-welles-first-bengali-tv-show-onneshon-premieres-in-bangladesh/a-16744764|archive-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>
On 5 January 2015, Ekushey Television abruptly halted transmissions without any notice in most areas around Bangladesh after airing a speech by the senior vice chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman. A sedition case was also filed as Rahman's speech was said to be "false, fabricated and instigating".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Why obstructions on ETV programme telecast: HC|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/politics/why-obstructions-etv-programme-telecast-hc-3878|date=25 February 2015|access-date=2 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709031455/https://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/politics/why-obstructions-etv-programme-telecast-hc-3878|archive-date=9 July 2017}}</ref> It was also reported that Ekushey moved away from being progressive and has been airing controversial news reports since 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-others/article/1501110369/একুশে-টিভি-সম্প্রচারে-থাকলেও-দর্শক-দেখতে-পাচ্ছেন-না|script-title=bn:একুশে টিভি সম্প্রচারে থাকলেও দর্শক দেখতে পাচ্ছেন না|date=8 January 2015|access-date=6 June 2022|work=Samakal|language=bn}}</ref> However, Ekushey's broadcasts overseas remained intact.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE|script-title=bn:একুশে টেলিভিশন দেখানো হচ্ছে না|date=8 January 2015|access-date=3 June 2022|work=Prothom Alo|language=bn}}</ref> The chairman of Ekushey, Abdus Salam, was subsequently arrested in a case filed under the Pornography Act of 2012, as the network allegedly aired a false report on a girl in one of their programs, ''Ekusher Chokh''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-others/90945/etv-chairman-sent-to-jail|title=ETV chairman sent to jail|date=6 January 2015|access-date=17 July 2022|work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> Later, the channel resumed broadcasting in some areas, and resumed nationwide broadcasts over time.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 January 2015|title=ETV off air after airing Tarique's speech|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/etv-off-air-after-airing-tariques-speech-58624|work=The Daily Star|access-date=24 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109065721/http://www.thedailystar.net:80/etv-off-air-after-airing-tariques-speech-58624|archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
=== 2015–2024: S. Alam era === On 25 November 2015, a media release issued by the network that day stated that S. Alam Group of Industries had acquired Ekushey, in an auction on 8 October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/bangladesh/1062118|script-title=bn:নতুন মালিকানায় একুশে টেলিভিশন|date=25 November 2015|access-date=2 June 2022|work=BDNews24|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602133928/https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/bangladesh/1062118|archive-date=2 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/65540|script-title=bn:একুশে টিভির নতুন মালিক এস আলম গ্রুপ|date=25 November 2015|access-date=2 June 2022|work=Jago News 24|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102172941/https://www.jagonews24.com/amp/65540|archive-date=2 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/11/25/new-owners-again-for-ekushey-television|title=New owners again for Ekushey Television|date=25 November 2015|access-date=20 July 2022|work=BDNews24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102172941/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/11/25/new-owners-again-for-ekushey-television|archive-date=2 January 2023}}</ref> In observance of Eid al-Fitr in 2016, Ekushey aired ''ThunderCats'' for seven days, starting from the day of Eid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/entertainment/118765/শিশুদের-জন্য-ঈদে-‘থান্ডার-ক্যাটস’|script-title=bn:শিশুদের জন্য ঈদে 'থান্ডার ক্যাটস'|date=1 July 2016|access-date=25 June 2022|work=Bangla Tribune|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130215043/https://www.banglatribune.com/entertainment/118765/শিশুদের-জন্য-ঈদে-‘থান্ডার-ক্যাটস’|archive-date=30 January 2026}}</ref> For the same occasion, the channel also broadcast seven films produced by Jaaz Multimedia following a press conference held between them at a hotel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/tv/7-jaaz-films-etv-eid-1235875|title=7 Jaaz films on ETV this Eid|date=7 June 2016|access-date=17 May 2026|work=The Daily Star}}</ref> In December 2016, Bangladeshi television professionals demanded Ekushey Television and three other local television channels to take dubbed foreign television series, which have gained popularity in the country, off their schedules.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Shadma|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/12247/tv-professionals-for-ban-on-dubbed-shows|title=TV professionals for ban on dubbed shows|date=18 December 2016|access-date=12 June 2022|work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> In July 2017, Ekushey Television, along with four other television channels in Bangladesh, signed an agreement with UNICEF to air children's programming for one minute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://samakal.com/bangladesh/article/1707309245/আরও-৫-টিভিতে-শিশুদের-জন্য-এক-মিনিট|script-title=bn:আরও ৫ টিভিতে শিশুদের জন্য এক মিনিট|date=18 July 2017|access-date=11 June 2022|work=Samakal|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405161658/https://samakal.com/bangladesh/article/1707309245/আরও-৫-টিভিতে-শিশুদের-জন্য-এক-মিনিট|archive-date=5 April 2023}}</ref>
On the morning of 26 November 2018, a fire broke out on the first few floors at the headquarters of Ekushey Television, with the estimated cost of damage being ৳260,000.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Fire breaks out at ETV building in Dhaka|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2018/11/26/fire-breaks-out-at-etv-building-in-dhaka|last=Rabbi|first=Arifur Rahman|date=26 November 2018|access-date=8 November 2021|work=Dhaka Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109050337/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2018/11/26/fire-breaks-out-at-etv-building-in-dhaka|archive-date=9 November 2021}}</ref> On 15 February 2020, Chinese drama ''Turbulence of the Mu Clan'' premiered on Ekushey Television.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jugantor.com/entertainment/278700/একুশে-টিভিতে-ড্রামা-সিরিয়াল-মূ|script-title=bn:একুশে টিভিতে ড্রামা সিরিয়াল ‘মূ’|date=15 February 2020|access-date=8 June 2022|work=Jugantor|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608081329/https://www.jugantor.com/entertainment/278700/একুশে-টিভিতে-ড্রামা-সিরিয়াল-মূ|archive-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> One of the founders of the channel, Simon Dring, had died on 16 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Friend of Bangladesh Simon Dring no more|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/feature/252933/friend-of-bangladesh-simon-dring-no-more|date=20 July 2021|access-date=8 November 2021|work=Dhaka Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617175540/https://www.dhakatribune.com/feature/252933/friend-of-bangladesh-simon-dring-no-more|archive-date=17 June 2024}}</ref> On 17 January 2022, Iranian drama series ''Blue Whale'' debuted on Ekushey Television.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/entertainment/news/732365|script-title=bn:একুশে টিভিতে শুরু হলো ইরানি সিরিয়াল 'ব্লু হোয়েল'|date=18 January 2022|access-date=19 June 2022|work=Jago News 24|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118100615/https://www.jagonews24.com/amp/732365|archive-date=18 January 2022}}</ref> A Bangabandhu Corner dedicated to Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was inaugurated at the headquarters of Ekushey on 20 June 2022.<ref name="bangabandhucorner">{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/771457|script-title=bn:একুশে টেলিভিশনে ‘বঙ্গবন্ধু কর্নার’ উদ্বোধন সংস্কৃতি প্রতিমন্ত্রীর|date=20 June 2022|access-date=11 July 2022|work=Jago News 24|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812091901/https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/771457|archive-date=12 August 2022}}</ref> On 8 July 2024, Rabiul Hasan Avi was appointed as the new managing director and CEO of Ekushey Television, replacing Pijush Bandyopadhyay as the latter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/মিডিয়া/5e74c047fe6f|script-title=bn:একুশে টেলিভিশনের এমডি ও সিইও হলেন রবিউল হাসান অভী|date=8 July 2024|access-date=11 August 2024|work=BDNews24|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811003518/https://bangla.bdnews24.com/মিডিয়া/5e74c047fe6f|archive-date=11 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://businesspostbd.com/economy/Corporate/rabiul-hasan-avi-named-ekushey-tv-md-ceo|title=Rabiul Hasan Avi named Ekushey TV MD, CEO|date=8 July 2024|access-date=11 August 2024|work=The Business Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811003516/https://businesspostbd.com/economy/Corporate/rabiul-hasan-avi-named-ekushey-tv-md-ceo|archive-date=11 August 2024}}</ref>
=== 2024–present: Return of Abdus Salam === Shortly after Sheikh Hasina's resignation following the non-cooperation movement on 5 August 2024, the former chairman and CEO of Ekushey Television, Abdus Salam, returned to the channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ekushey-tv.com/একুশে-টেলিভিশনে-ফিরে-এলেন-চেয়ারম্যান-ও-সিইও-আব্দুস-সালাম/1360873111111148372|script-title=bn:একুশে টেলিভিশনে ফিরে এলেন চেয়ারম্যান ও সিইও আব্দুস সালাম|date=5 August 2024|access-date=14 August 2024|work=Ekushey Television|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095936/https://www.ekushey-tv.com/একুশে-টেলিভিশনে-ফিরে-এলেন-চেয়ারম্যান-ও-সিইও-আব্দুস-সালাম/1360873111111148372|archive-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> He accused S. Alam of forcibly taking ownership of the channel using fraudulent documents under the direction of Hasina, after, as he claims, Ekushey Television exposed vote rigging and other irregularities during the 2014 general election, in order to curb free press.<ref>{{cite news|last=Salam|first=Abdus|url=https://en.bd-pratidin.com/national/2024/11/26/23980|title=Behind the seizure of Ekushey TV|date=26 November 2024|access-date=16 May 2026|work=Bangladesh Pratidin}}</ref> The channel was the titular sponsor of the twenty-third edition of the CJFB Performance Award held by the Cultural Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh on 28 December 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/entertainment/876106/২৮-ডিসেম্বর-ইটিভি-সিজেএফবি-পারফর্মেন্স-অ্যাওয়ার্ডস|script-title=bn:২৮ ডিসেম্বর ইটিভি-সিজেএফবি পারফর্মেন্স অ্যাওয়ার্ডস|date=6 December 2024|access-date=1 January 2025|work=Bangla Tribune|language=bn}}</ref> Ekushey later updated its motion graphics and look on 1 June 2025.<ref name="ekushey"/>
== Coverage == === Terrestrial === Ekushey Television broadcast nationwide using VHF terrestrial signals during its first two years of existence until the network permanently ceased transmissions on terrestrial. The list below shows on which frequencies Ekushey was receivable in major areas around Bangladesh as of August 2002.<ref name="coverage"/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:middle" !Receiving city !Channel no. |- |Dhaka |VHF 6 |- |Khulna |VHF 8 |- |Chittagong |VHF 9 |- |Natore |VHF 11 |- |Rangpur |VHF 11 |- |Sylhet |VHF 11 |}
==Programming== {{Main|List of programmes broadcast by Ekushey Television}} Ekushey Television is a mixed entertainment television channel, broadcasting a variety of programming. Its programming line consists of drama, news, music, television films, theatrically released films, and others. Initially broadcasting for twelve hours a weekday and seventeen hours on weekends, Ekushey broadcasts on a full-day basis. During its anniversaries, Ekushey aired documentaries regarding the history of the channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-entertainment/article/19042625/২০-বছরে-একুশে-টিভি|script-title=bn:২০ বছরে একুশে টিভি|date=14 April 2019|access-date=5 June 2022|work=Samakal|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605051645/https://www.samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-entertainment/article/19042625/২০-বছরে-একুশে-টিভি|archive-date=5 June 2022}}</ref> On 1 October 2024, Ekushey Television refreshed its news schedules, as stated in a press release published a day prior, with hourly news bulletins being broadcast at zero-hour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/971861|script-title=bn:আজ থেকে নতুন আঙ্গিকে একুশে সংবাদ|date=1 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024|work=JagoNews24|language=bn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002010002/https://www.jagonews24.com/mass-media/news/971861|archive-date=2 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://dailyinqilab.com/index.php/national/news/690833|script-title=bn:নতুন আঙ্গিকে ও নতুন সময়ে একুশে সংবাদ|date=1 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024|work=Daily Inqilab|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007101346/https://dailyinqilab.com/index.php/national/news/690833 |archive-date=7 October 2024 |language=bn}}</ref>
==Controversies== In 2012, Ekushey Television was accused by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of broadcasting illegally without a radio equipment license and with its withheld frequency. Ekushey, however, denied the claims by stating that they have a radio equipment license and an updated frequency, and they were also regularly paying their frequency and license fees.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-226121|title=ETV refutes BTRC claim|date=13 March 2012|access-date=2 June 2022|work=The Daily Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610093358/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-226121|archive-date=10 June 2022}}</ref> The chairman of the channel, Abdul Salam, stated that Ekushey was being a victim of a minister's "conspiracy".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/etv-a-victim-of-minister-s-plot|title=ETV a 'victim of minister's plot'|date=15 March 2012|access-date=14 August 2022|work=BDNews24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829150621/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/etv-a-victim-of-minister-s-plot|archive-date=29 August 2024}}</ref>
On 26 January 2015, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against Abdus Salam, along with two others, for allegedly laundering ৳2,670,000. Another case was filed against Salam on 2 March 2016, after an allegation that he made fraudulent documents of the satellite charge of Ekushey to swindle out ৳340,000,000.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 April 2016|title=Money laundering: ACC sues 3 including ex-ETV boss|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/money-laundering-acc-sues-3-including-ex-etv-boss-1208668|work=The Daily Star|access-date=23 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203223507/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/money-laundering-acc-sues-3-including-ex-etv-boss-1208668|archive-date=3 February 2023}}</ref> Charges against him and the two others accused were finalized in March 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last=Islam|first=Rafikul|date=5 March 2018|title=ACC finalizes charge sheet against Ekushey TV chairman|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/corruption/139778/acc-finalizes-charge-sheet-against-ekushey-tv|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=6 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111231547/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/corruption/139778/acc-finalizes-charge-sheet-against-ekushey-tv|archive-date=11 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=6 March 2018|title=ACC approves charges against Ekushey TV ex-chairman|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/acc-approves-charges-against-ex-ekushey-tv-chairman-1544071|work=The Daily Star|access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref>
==See also== * List of television stations in Bangladesh
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons-inline}} *{{official website}}
{{Television in Bangladesh}} {{Bengali language television channels}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Mass media in Dhaka Category:Television channels in Bangladesh Category:Television channels and stations established in 2000 Category:2000 establishments in Bangladesh Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2002 Category:2002 disestablishments in Bangladesh Category:Television channels and stations established in 2007 Category:2007 establishments in Bangladesh Category:Re-established companies