Bangla TV
Launched in 1999, Bangla TV was the first Bengali language television channel in the UK. It operated as a subscription-only channel until 2005, following the arrival of Channel S, a rival channel providing a free-to-air service targeting its programming specifically for the Bengali Sylheti community in the UK. Following the launch of Channel S, Bangla TV also switched over to a non-subscription based model and to date have been providing the service free. In November 2013, Bangla TV gained a license from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to broadcast in Bangladesh. It officially began broadcasting in that country on 19 May 2017. In July 2017, Bangla TV, along with four other television channels in Bangladesh, signed an agreement with UNICEF to air children's programming for one minute. On 19 May 2019, Bangla TV, along with six other channels, began broadcasting via the Bangabandhu-1 satellite after signing an agreement with BSCL. Bangla TV was removed from Sky channel 786 on 1 July 2010, before returning on 9 July, no explanation was provided. Bangla TV was again removed from the Sky EPG during December 2010 before being found in serious breach of Ofcom rules. The channel returned again on 17 June 2011, under new management. Bangla TV was again removed from the Sky EPG during December 2013 and January 2014 before returning on 10 February 2014. It was again removed on 7 August 2014 and continues to have intermittent TV transmission. Since the arrival of Channel S, there has been rivalry between the two channels. Bangla TV had previously been the monopoly provider and as a result had broadcast many UK community based events such as the Baishakhi Mela, Bangladesh Film Awards and Pitha Uthshob. The channel recently bagged the live broadcasting rights of Bangladesh Premier League (football) and Bangladesh Federation Cup. Slogan: আপনার ভাষায় কথা বলে - Apnar bhashay kotha bole English: Speaks your language<br>
Country: United Kingdom<br>
Headquarters: Hackney Wick, London<br>
Web: www.banglatv.co.uk
History
Bangla TV is a British-Bangladeshi Bengali language satellite television channel. It began satellite transmission in Bangladesh on 19 May 2017.