‘The initiative is good, but we need more time’ | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
‘The initiative is good, but we need more time’

Panorama

Asfar Khair
02 October, 2021, 07:50 pm
Last modified: 02 October, 2021, 07:57 pm

Related News

  • No compromise over ad-free broadcasting of foreign channels: Hasan Mahmud
  • Drive to be launched from Wednesday to ensure airing ad-free foreign TV channels: Info Minister
  • Legal notice served on information ministry to resume foreign TV channels
  • Shutting foreign channels won’t solve the real Bangladeshi TV crisis
  • ‘If the pressure continues, the distributors will come to the table’

‘The initiative is good, but we need more time’

Asfar Khair
02 October, 2021, 07:50 pm
Last modified: 02 October, 2021, 07:57 pm
‘The initiative is good, but we need more time’

We are waiting for the next decision of the government on this issue, especially of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. We have already informed our broadcasters that we will only be able to broadcast their channels if they give us a clean feed. In response, they claim that they are trying to give us clean feed.

We broadcast channels with commercials for as long as the government gave us time to do that. However, they will no longer permit us to do so.  So, we are now bound by the law of our land to not broadcast foreign channels with commercials. 

The distributors bear the primary responsibility for providing clean feed. We have asked three additional distributors in the country to request clean feed from their broadcasters. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The technology for cleaning feed is expensive, but every problem has a solution. We will discuss the matter with our operators soon. We will talk to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well.

In Bangladesh, the only source of entertainment is television. Many people have switched from television to IPTV as the internet has become more prevalent in our lives.

You can watch everything on your mobile phone or computer. I'm not sure what benefits the government hopes to gain from this step.  

However, the government should take precautions to ensure that cable operators do not suffer financial losses. At the same time, they must ensure that our national interests are not jeopardised.

The law has been in place for many years. It may be that the law was never implemented so seriously in the past as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting did not put much focus on it. 

The government believes that our domestic television channels are losing money as a result of foreign channels broadcasting commercials, and I completely agree with them. However, it is not in our hands, but rather in the hands of the broadcasters.

I am of the opinion that the quality of Bangladeshi content should be raised. Because Bangladeshi content is of poor quality, foreign channels dominate the Bangladeshi market, attracting the vast majority of our people.

If Unilever had the choice between Star Jalsha and one of our local channels, which one do you think it would choose to advertise one of its products? Obviously, the one with the most followers.

The government's initiative is positive but the government should give us more time. We have to talk to the broadcasters because there are some technical issues. After about five years of trying, Nepal has been successful in getting clean feed from their broadcasters.

The actual problem is with five to six channels that broadcast Bangla language programmes, but all television channels are suffering the consequences, like BBC, CNN and Cartoon Network. 
 
If the broadcasters do not give us clean feed, we will not be able to broadcast their content. If they seek time and say they will give us clean feed after a specific time frame, and if the government accepts that, then it is possible they will return. There are thousands of cable operators and technicians and bill collectors whose livelihoods depend on the business. I believe the government will set a time frame to implement the law.  

Asfar Khair is the executive chairman of Nationwide Media Limited

Features / Top News

ad-free foreign TV channels

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh and US hold tariff talks on 11 July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Dhaka, Washington yet to agree on 20% of US tariff conditions: BGMEA
  • Trump's tariff: 25-30% of exports to US could be jeopardised, BKMEA president warns 
    Trump's tariff: 25-30% of exports to US could be jeopardised, BKMEA president warns 
  • The accused, Md Titon Gazi, in police custody. Photo: TBS
    Mitford murder: Accused Titon Gazi placed on 5-day remand

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image
    In addition to 35% tariff, US demands 40% local value addition for 'Made in Bangladesh' goods
  • Screengrab blurred
    Killers bash in head of man with rock, stomp body with perverse pleasure
  • How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
    How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
  • Economist Abul Barkat; Photo: Courtesy
    Economist Abul Barkat arrested in graft case
  • Photo: UNB
    WHO's Saima Wazed Putul 'placed on indefinite leave' amid corruption allegations: Health Policy Watch
  • After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients
    After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

Related News

  • No compromise over ad-free broadcasting of foreign channels: Hasan Mahmud
  • Drive to be launched from Wednesday to ensure airing ad-free foreign TV channels: Info Minister
  • Legal notice served on information ministry to resume foreign TV channels
  • Shutting foreign channels won’t solve the real Bangladeshi TV crisis
  • ‘If the pressure continues, the distributors will come to the table’

Features

The 2020 Harrier's Porsche Cayenne coupe-like rear roofline, integrated LED lighting with the Modellista special bodykit all around, and a swanky front grille scream OEM Plus for the sophisticated enthusiast looking for a bigger family car that isn’t boring. PHOTO: Ahbaar Mohammad

2020 Toyota Harrier Hybrid: The Japanese Macan

12m | Wheels
The showroom was launched through a lavish event held there, and in attendance were DHS Motors’ Managing Director Nafees Khundker, CEO Imran Zaman Khan, and GMs Arman Rashid and Farhan Samad. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

GAC inaugurate flagship showroom in Dhaka

27m | Wheels
After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

21h | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

1d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Air India crash: What happened before the plane crashed?

Air India crash: What happened before the plane crashed?

1h | TBS World
Home Affairs Advisor calls on everyone to come forward and stop violence

Home Affairs Advisor calls on everyone to come forward and stop violence

2h | TBS Today
More than a thousand layoffs at once in US government agencies

More than a thousand layoffs at once in US government agencies

3h | TBS World
US demands 40% local value addition for `Made in Bangladesh’ goods

US demands 40% local value addition for `Made in Bangladesh’ goods

37m | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net