Shut during Awami League rule, Channel One back in business after 16 years

Its chief editor says the channel will serve as a 24/7 news service from now on

Private satellite television station Channel One, shut down in 2010 by the Awami League government, has returned to broadcasting after a nearly 16-year hiatus.

The channel resumed commercial operations with a 24/7 news service at 6:57pm on Monday.

Nazmul Ashraf, the channel's chief editor, told bdnews24.com: “I'm definitely enjoying this new journey, and the level of that enjoyment is indescribable."

"Because the channel we all built together, which gained viewership and was much talked-about and appreciated in Bangladesh was shut down. Its re-launch after 16 years of effort is definitely a matter of great joy."

He recounted the legal tangles and continued struggle against “conventional politics”, but claimed their efforts to resume the operations were “not political”.

Nazmul pledged variations in their production, keeping in mind the growing challenges of journalism.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Feb 24 paved the way for the channel to resume its functions.

On Apr 27, 2010, the then Awami League government stopped it from broadcasting.

When the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) suspended its frequency allocation, the channel authorities unsuccessfully moved the High Court.

The then posts and telecommunications minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju said: "TV channel equipment and licenses are not transferable. But the broadcasting equipment imported by the Channel One authorities was sold in a public auction."

He alleged that Channel One was operating by using equipment imported under the name of another organisation.

A BTRC official at that time accused the channel of violating the terms of the frequency allocation.

Despite several legal notices, they did not respond, he said.

Founded by businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, Channel One officially launched on Jan 24, 2006, during the BNP-Jamaat government.