Bangladesh Betar’s infrastructure is unrivalled. But who’s listening?

Illustration: TBS

There was a time when evenings in Bangladeshi households began with the soft hum of the national radio. Televisions had yet to reach every home; there were no mobile phones or internet either. Yet the rhythm of the nation flowed through the frequencies of Bangladesh Betar. 

Afternoons were for children's shows like "Kisholoy" and "Kochikachar Ashor", programmes that filled homes with laughter, rhymes and storytelling. 

When night fell, the airwaves turned into a stage. Radio dramas became worlds of imagination — voices carried emotion, dialogue built tension, and sound effects painted scenes no one could see but everyone could feel. Families would gather with cups of tea — some preferred "Sukhi Sangshar" or "Abir Rong", others waited eagerly for the Sunday Play. Long before web series or streaming platforms, those dramas had already claimed the nation's heart.

Then came the music. Who could forget "Saptasur" or "Shonali Sur"? On a quiet afternoon, someone would sit by the window as Betar's melodies filled the air. Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, modern songs — each carried its own charm. Many listeners would note down the lyrics, ready to sing them the next day.

There was "Darpan" too — a programme for the thinking listener. It reflected society and culture, blending literature, music, theatre, and essays into one thoughtful frame. On national occasions such as Language Day, Independence Day or Pahela Baishakh, special editions elevated Betar's prestige. 

And of course, favourites like "Onurodher Ashor" and "Uttorlipi", where people dedicated songs or sent in poems to be read on air helped establish a warm exchange that created a human connection that is largely absent today.

A glorious structure with fading echoes

The nostalgia is comforting, but the present reality tells a more complex story. Bangladesh Betar today stands at a crossroads of relevance and survival.

The organisation still has a powerful broadcasting network, one that surpasses many developed nations in reach. With 14 regional stations, over 3,000 employees including 500 BCS officers, and an annual government allocation exceeding Tk200 crore, the infrastructure remains vast. Yet, despite this scale, listener engagement and popularity have plummeted.

According to official data, Betar earns less than Tk10 crore a year, mostly from limited advertising and transmitter rentals to private FM stations. Listeners often say they no longer feel the need to tune in, neither for songs nor for news. 

Yet Betar operates day and night, through traditional radio, mobile apps and web streams. Using 17 medium-wave and 34 FM transmitters, its signal covers the entire country. It owns 81 recording studios, including 15 in Dhaka, and possesses advanced transmission technology capable of reaching even the remotest of corners. 

Technically, Betar is unmatched among state media. But who is really listening?

There is no available survey showing how many people still listen to Bangladesh Betar. As a result, the authorities have little way of understanding what listeners actually prefer. 

However, TBS spoke to several listeners of different age groups. Among them, the older respondents shared that they have many fond memories associated with Betar — some even linked to historic moments — but they no longer feel the need to tune in. 

The younger generation, on the other hand, said they occasionally listen to private FM stations instead. They explained that private presenters are more in tune with their preferences and tend to choose songs that appeal to younger audiences.

Anwar Mridha, recently retired Additional Director General of Bangladesh Betar, disagrees with such opinions. 

"Betar is still relevant. In fact, I'd say it's on the rise," he said. "If you visit our regional Facebook pages, you'll find many programmes with millions of views. Betar is also doing well on Facebook and YouTube. So, it's not correct to say that no one listens to Betar anymore," he said.

But Betar was never meant to be watched on Facebook or YouTube. It is a completely different medium. This raises a genuine concern about whether Betar's original purpose is being compromised.

Professor Abul Mansur Ahmed, former chairperson of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, also weighed in on the issue. "By showcasing their work on social media or YouTube, they are, in a way, trying to justify their activities," he said. "But in doing so, I believe the very essence and purpose of radio broadcasting are not being fulfilled."

Even without formal surveys, a glimpse of audience engagement can be gathered from Bangladesh Betar's social media presence. The official Facebook page of Bangladesh Betar has around 195,000 followers. Although posts are made regularly, there is little audience interaction — comments are rare. Interestingly, the regional stations' Facebook pages receive more engagement than the main one. 

However, many of those broadcasts suffer from poor lighting, flawed camera framing, and limited use of technology, resulting in dull presentation quality. News bulletins and live streams also show little visual distinction. 

In short, Bangladesh Betar has not been able to adequately train its staff and presenters in modern technical skills. Yet the institution faces no shortage of funding — money that ultimately comes from taxpayers' pockets.

An ageing institution with immense resources

Founded in 1939 as the Dhaka Broadcasting Centre under British rule, Betar is one of the country's oldest public institutions. In the current fiscal year, it received more than Tk200 core from the government — of which 45% is spent on salaries alone. With 2,900 staff across the country, including 1,000 working in news, its human resource base is enormous. 

There are also 35,000 registered artists, who receive modest honoraria ranging from Tk200 to Tk1,300 per appearance.

However, several officials privately question whether such a workforce is sustainable. Some suggest that many officers could be reassigned to other ministries. 

Two officials of the organisation, speaking to TBS on condition of anonymity, said that Bangladesh Betar's annual revenue has fluctuated between Tk8 crore and Tk10 crore over the past few years.

A senior official at Betar's Dhaka station, also requesting anonymity, added, "It's true that the number of listeners is declining. That's why efforts are being made to adapt the content and promote it through audiovisual platforms."

A national media opinion poll conducted by the Media Reform Commission early this year revealed a striking decline: among 45,000 respondents, 94% said they do not listen to the radio, and 54% said they no longer feel the need to.

Bangladesh Betar has been the most active broadcaster on the FM waveband, even relaying international services like BBC, Voice of America, and Deutsche Welle — until recently. As listener demand fell, these organisations withdrew from FM radio entirely, shifting to multimedia and digital platforms. Economically, too, the sector faces hurdles. Advertisers now favour television and online platforms, where concessions and reach are greater. 

Meanwhile, the Media Reform Commission has recommended merging Bangladesh Betar,  BTV, and BSS into a unified National Broadcasting Corporation, akin to the BBC or DW model. 

Can Betar reclaim its relevance?

Experts suggest that the revival of Bangladesh Betar depends on reinventing its identity rather than preserving its past. 

With its nationwide infrastructure, archival treasure, and cultural heritage, Betar can still play a vital public role if it evolves into a multi-platform broadcaster that blends radio with podcasts, social media, and video content. 

In this regard, Professor Mansur said, "You'll still find many people in rural areas who listen to Betar. So it's not true that the radio has no audience at all. What's needed now is to modernise Betar in line with the reform proposals made by the Media Reform Commission. I also believe the scope of work for those employed at Betar is rather limited. Their responsibilities should be broadened so that the organisation can design programmes that respond to the needs and expectations of today's listeners."

He emphasised several key areas for reform, saying that to regain public trust and attention, Betar must modernise its presentation and sound design, train producers and presenters in digital storytelling, reconnect with younger audiences through interactive formats, and use its vast network for public-interest campaigns — on climate, health, education, and culture.

The nostalgia of the past will always remain, but nostalgia alone cannot sustain an institution. Bangladesh Betar once united a nation through sound; now, its challenge is to do the same through relevance.