Satellite TV Channel introduced in Bangladesh in the 1990s. On 29 September 1992, the US news network CNN started relaying its transmission here for a few hours everyday using the BTV channel. The same year, BBC started the same under similar arrangements. Permission to use dish antennas for receiving satellite transmissions directly by general users opened up new opportunities for the Bangladeshi viewers to see programmes from the outside world. Between 1992-95, more than 10 international TV channels entered Bangladesh homes. Today, this number stands at more than 50.

The satellite television channels are now among the most popular means of entertainment for the people. New channels introduced in 1992 in Bangladesh in addition to CNN and BBC were basically those of the Star Television Network, Zee TV network, Indian TV and Pakistan TV. Some early starters bought dish antennas for very high prices and installed them on their roofs. Very soon, the innovative entrepreneurs, foreseeing a lucrative business, started operating private cable networks, which mushroomed throughout the country. The number of channels subscribed increased substantially in the major cities.

According to a survey conducted in 1998 by Dhaka daily, ATN, BBC, Channel-V, CNN, DD-7, DD-Metro, Discovery, Zee India TV, ESPN, Prime Sports, Sony, Star TV Network (Star Movies, Star Plus, Star Sports), Zee TV and Zee Cinema are among the most watched and most popular channels. CNN, TNT, MTV and Cartoon Network were found to have a high viewing rate. Among the relatively new entrants, ATN Bangla, Channel I, ETV, Star World, National Geographic, HBO, AXN Action TV, and Alpha TV also made good impression among the Bangladeshi viewers.

The invasion of satellite channels into the living rooms of Bangladeshi viewers undoubtedly put government-owned BTV into a hard test. However, for some special programmes like weekly drama or the popular magazine titled Ityadi people still tune BTV.  [Helal Uddin Ahmed]