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. 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.[8]
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. Initially, the channel was scheduled to commence its operations on 16 December 1999, which was victory day.[9]
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.[9] It covered half the country's population, and immediately gained popularity among locals.[10] 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.[5] 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.[11]
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.[5][12] Dring had described Ekushey Television as the window to the outside world for many Bangladeshis. Ekushey Television used the VHF band for broadcasting,[13][14] and also used the facilities reserved for Bangladesh Television's second terrestrial television station, which were left unused.[15]
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.[16]
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.[17] 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.[18][19]
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.[20][21]
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.[17] 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.[18][19]
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.[20][21]
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,[27] but were only allowed to do so via satellite television.[28] They were also obliged to relay the nightly news bulletin of Bangladesh Television if they were to broadcast news programming.[29] Ekushey commenced its satellite test transmissions on 1 December the following year.[30] It officially resumed broadcasting on 29 March 2007,[12] 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.[31]
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.[44][45][46] In observance of Eid al-Fitr in 2016, Ekushey aired ThunderCats for seven days, starting from the day of Eid.[47] 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.[48] 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.[49]
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.[57][58] Ekushey later updated its motion graphics and look on 1 June 2025.[1]
