Boishakhi Television
A privately owned Bangladeshi Bengali-language satellite and cable television channel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Boishakhi Television is a privately owned Bengali-language television channel serving Bangladesh through satellite, cable, and digital distribution. The channel takes its name from Boishakh, the first month of the Bengali calendar, and is also commonly referred to as Boishakhi TV. Its programming has primarily centered on entertainment, including drama, comedy, music, talk and magazine-style shows, cultural programming, documentaries, special-event broadcasts, and selected films, alongside news and public-interest content. The channel entered Bangladesh's expanding private television sector in the mid-2000s. It applied for a broadcasting licence on 9 September 2004, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission granted the licence on 31 January 2005. Boishakhi Television began official transmissions on 27 December 2005, joining a group of private channels launched after the closure of Ekushey Television in 2002. Its early development was accompanied by employment and management disputes, including a 2006 episode in which approximately forty journalists resigned while alleging that promised payments and employment benefits had not been provided. Channel management disputed both the number of employees involved and aspects of their claims. Ownership changed during the late 2000s, when Destiny 2000 Limited acquired the channel from BNS Group of Companies. The transfer became contentious after BNS chairman MNH Bulu alleged that the channel had been taken over forcibly and initiated legal proceedings in 2009. The ownership dispute continued for several years; on 15 February 2017, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh granted Destiny 2000's appeal concerning ownership of Boishakhi Television. Boishakhi has periodically refreshed its brand and distribution. It introduced a new logo and rebranding on 28 July 2010, began satellite distribution through Bangabandhu-1 in December 2018, and launched high-definition broadcasting on 26 March 2022, Bangladesh's Independence Day. Its event and special programming has included a live broadcast of the King Khan Live in Dhaka performance in December 2010, environmental documentary programming about Dhaka, children's content produced in cooperation with UNICEF, Ramadan cooking programming, and broadcasts connected to national commemorations. The channel has also been involved in public-interest and inclusion-related developments. In November 2011 it joined three other Bangladeshi channels in an agreement with UNICEF to air short children's-programming segments. In 2021, on International Women's Day, it became the first Bangladeshi television channel reported to have hired a transgender news reporter. Boishakhi Television remains a Bangladesh-focused broadcaster whose principal brand role is the production and distribution of Bengali television entertainment, news, cultural material, and special programming.
History
Boishakhi Television developed during Bangladesh's expansion of privately operated television broadcasting in the first decade of the twenty-first century. The channel submitted its broadcasting-licence application to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on 9 September 2004. The regulator approved the application on 31 January 2005, the same day that licences were issued to Channel 1 and Banglavision. Boishakhi officially commenced transmissions on 27 December 2005, joining several private channels that entered the market after Ekushey Television had closed in 2002. From its launch, Boishakhi was positioned as a general-interest Bengali channel with a strong entertainment orientation. Its output has included serial dramas, comedy, music, cultural and magazine programmes, news, documentaries, films, children's programming, cooking shows, and live events. The channel has used both ordinary scheduling and event-led programming to connect its national audience with popular culture and public occasions. Examples include its live coverage of the King Khan Live in Dhaka performance in December 2010, a documentary on Dhaka's environmental pollution broadcast in 2013, Ramadan cooking content in 2014, and a broadcast of the film Hangor Nodi Grenade during the 2017 Independence Day observances. The broadcaster experienced early employment controversy. In September 2006, approximately forty journalists resigned, alleging that the channel had not paid them as promised and had launched without delivering expected employment benefits. Managing director Mohammad Shahidullah challenged the journalists' account, stating that probationary employees did not have the claimed right to resign and disputing the reported number of journalists and the alleged benefit arrangements. The episode formed part of the channel's difficult early operational period. Ownership became another major issue. Destiny 2000 Limited acquired Boishakhi Television from BNS Group of Companies in approximately 2007 or 2008. MNH Bulu, chairman of BNS, alleged that Destiny had taken control by force and threatened legal proceedings if the channel was not returned. He filed a case in 2009. The dispute remained unresolved for several years, but on 15 February 2017 the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh granted Destiny 2000's appeal regarding its ownership of the channel. Destiny 2000 and its wider group are consequently identified with Boishakhi's ownership. Boishakhi also underwent several technical and brand developments. It changed its logo and rebranded its presentation on 28 July 2010. A fire at its Mohakhali headquarters in May 2011 interrupted transmissions. Later, in December 2018, the channel began using the Bangabandhu-1 satellite for broadcasting. On 26 March 2022 it introduced high-definition broadcasts, aligning the launch with Bangladesh's Independence Day. Public-interest initiatives have formed a smaller but notable part of the channel's activities. In November 2011, Boishakhi joined three other Bangladeshi television stations in an agreement with UNICEF to air one-minute children's programming. It broadcast Dhakaye Thaki, a documentary about environmental pollution in Dhaka, on World Environment Day in 2013. In 2021, the channel was reported to have become the first Bangladeshi television channel to hire a transgender news reporter, an inclusion milestone in the country's broadcast sector. The channel has also faced programme-related litigation. In March 2010, Srabanti, a winner of the Boishakhi dance programme Padmakuri, sued producers after a prize cheque from Mercantile Bank was reportedly rejected twice. Boishakhi responded that the producers were not channel employees, but contractors who had purchased airtime for the programme under the previous management. In February 2021, chief news editor Saiful Islam and correspondent Kazi Farid received death threats in connection with reporting on alleged irregularities and corruption at the National University. The Dhaka Union of Journalists condemned the threats and urged law-enforcement action. Boishakhi Television continues to operate as a Bangladesh-focused Bengali broadcaster. Publicly documented information identifies entertainment programming as its core offer, supported by news, cultural material, documentaries, special broadcasts, and satellite, cable, and HD distribution. Detailed current ownership structures, audience figures, financial results, and present executive leadership are not established in the supplied reference material.
- 2022
High-definition broadcasting introduced
[1]HD broadcasts began on 26 March, coinciding with Bangladesh's Independence Day.
- 2021
Transgender news reporter hired
[1]The channel was reported to have become the first Bangladeshi television channel to hire a transgender news reporter.
- 2018
Bangabandhu-1 satellite distribution begins
[1]Boishakhi began broadcasting through the Bangabandhu-1 satellite in December.
- 2017
Destiny 2000 ownership appeal succeeds
[1]The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh granted Destiny 2000's appeal concerning ownership of the channel.
- 2011
UNICEF children's-content agreement
[1]The channel joined a UNICEF initiative with three other Bangladeshi television stations to air short children's segments.
- 2010
Logo and brand refresh
[1]Boishakhi introduced a new logo and refreshed its on-air branding on 28 July.
- 2006
Journalist resignation dispute
[1]Approximately forty journalists resigned amid allegations concerning unpaid compensation and benefits, allegations disputed by management.
- 2005
Licence granted and channel launched
[1]The regulator granted the licence on 31 January, and Boishakhi began official transmissions on 27 December.
- 2004
Broadcasting licence application submitted
[1]Boishakhi Television applied to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission for a broadcasting licence on 9 September.
Products and positioning
A Bangladesh-focused general-interest Bengali television channel combining entertainment-led programming with news, cultural content, documentaries, children's material, and live or commemorative broadcasts.
Television programming · 2005
General entertainment programming
Boishakhi Television's principal offering is a Bengali-language general-entertainment schedule. It includes scripted drama, comedy, music, magazine and cultural programmes, talk-oriented content, and special broadcasts designed for a broad Bangladeshi audience.
News programming · 2005
News and current affairs
The channel produces and broadcasts news content alongside its entertainment schedule. Its newsroom has covered national institutions and public-interest issues, including reporting that led to threats against two staff members in 2021.
Scripted television
Drama and comedy series
Documented drama and comedy titles associated with the channel include Bou Shashuri, Comedy 420, Dour The Trendy, Fourth Class Society, Jomidar Bari, Kitchen Politics, Mohajon, Party Girl, Pathorer Kanna, Sonar Horin, Taal Betaal, and Village Society.
Music and culture
Music and cultural programming
Music and cultural formats listed in connection with Boishakhi include Anyarakam, Boishakhi Folk, Golden Song, Padmakuri, and Shubho Shokal. These programmes reflect the channel's use of popular music, folk culture, performance, and magazine formats.
Broadcast distribution · 2018
Satellite, cable, and HD distribution
Boishakhi distributes its television service through satellite and cable networks and began using the Bangabandhu-1 satellite in 2018. It added high-definition transmission on 26 March 2022.
Controversies
2021
Death threats against news staff
Chief news editor Saiful Islam and correspondent Kazi Farid received death threats in connection with reporting on alleged irregularities and corruption at the National University.
2010
Prize-cheque lawsuit involving Padmakuri
A dance-contest winner sued programme producers after a prize cheque was reportedly rejected twice by the bank. Boishakhi said the producers were contractors who had purchased airtime rather than channel employees.
2009
Dispute over Destiny 2000 acquisition
MNH Bulu of BNS Group alleged that Destiny 2000 had forcibly taken ownership of the channel and filed a lawsuit. A later Supreme Court appeal supported Destiny 2000's ownership position.
2006
Journalist payment and benefits dispute
Around forty journalists resigned after alleging that promised compensation and benefits had not been provided. Management disputed the claims and described some staff as probationary or discharged.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Dhakaye Thaki environmental documentary
Bangladesh
On World Environment Day, Boishakhi aired Dhakaye Thaki, a documentary examining environmental pollution in Dhaka.
Outcome. The broadcast provided environmental and civic-interest programming within the channel's general schedule.
- 2011UNICEF children's programming initiative
Bangladesh
Boishakhi joined UNICEF and three other Bangladeshi channels in an initiative to broadcast one-minute children's programming segments.
Outcome. The agreement expanded the channel's public-interest and children's-content activity.
Brand decisions
2022
Launch high-definition broadcastsProduct launchBackground
The channel pursued a technical upgrade to improve broadcast picture quality.
Action taken
Boishakhi introduced HD broadcasting on 26 March, Bangladesh's Independence Day.
Aftermath
The channel expanded its technical service from standard-definition transmission to include HD broadcasting.
2018
Adopt Bangabandhu-1 satellite distributionStrategyBackground
Bangladesh's first communications satellite created a domestic satellite-distribution option for television broadcasters.
Action taken
Boishakhi began broadcasting through Bangabandhu-1 in December.
Aftermath
The channel added Bangabandhu-1 to its distribution infrastructure.
2017
Pursue appellate ownership confirmationOtherBackground
The channel's transfer from BNS Group to Destiny 2000 had been challenged by BNS chairman MNH Bulu.
Action taken
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh granted Destiny 2000's appeal on 15 February.
Aftermath
Destiny 2000's ownership position was upheld in the reported appellate decision.
2010
Refresh the channel identityStrategyBackground
Boishakhi sought to update its on-air presentation during a period of competition among Bangladesh's private television channels.
Action taken
The channel changed its logo and rebranded on 28 July.
Aftermath
The new identity became part of the channel's subsequent television presentation.
Recent events
- 2022
Boishakhi Television launches high-definition broadcasting[1]
Product launch
The channel began HD broadcasts on 26 March, Bangladesh's Independence Day.
- 2018
Boishakhi Television begins Bangabandhu-1 distribution[1]
Product generation
The channel began broadcasting through Bangladesh's Bangabandhu-1 communications satellite in December.
- 2017
Supreme Court appeal confirms Destiny 2000 ownership[1]
Lawsuit
The Appellate Division of Bangladesh's Supreme Court granted Destiny 2000's appeal concerning ownership of Boishakhi Television.
- 2011
Fire disrupts Boishakhi Television operations[1]
Other
A fire at the channel's Mohakhali headquarters disrupted transmissions in May.
- 2011
Boishakhi joins UNICEF children's programming initiative[1]
Campaign
Boishakhi Television and three other Bangladeshi channels agreed with UNICEF to broadcast one-minute children's programming segments.
- 2010
Boishakhi Television changes its logo and brand presentation[1]
Other
The channel introduced a rebrand and new logo on 28 July.
- 2010
Boishakhi broadcasts King Khan Live in Dhaka[1]
Campaign
The channel carried a live broadcast of the King Khan Live in Dhaka performance on 10 December, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Arjun Rampal, and Isha Koppikar.
- 2006
Boishakhi Television journalists resign over alleged non-payment[1]
Other
Around forty journalists reportedly resigned in September amid allegations that promised payments and benefits had not been provided. Management disputed the scale of the resignations and said some staff were on probation or had been discharged.
Sources2 sources
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