Channel 24
Channel 24 is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language satellite and cable television channel focused primarily on news and current affairs.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Channel 24 is a Bengali-language television channel serving the Bangladeshi market. It is owned by Times Media Limited, a subsidiary of the Ha-meem Group, and operates as a satellite and cable broadcaster. The channel received regulatory authorization from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission in February 2010 and began test transmissions on 22 August 2011. Its formal launch took place on 24 May 2012 at 19:00 Bangladesh Standard Time. At launch, Channel 24 was conceived as a general-interest television service rather than a dedicated news outlet. Its early schedule combined news with drama, television films, music, sports, talk shows, entertainment, lifestyle programming, and other formats. The channel also carried programming directed at viewers in Chittagong, reflecting an effort to serve audiences beyond the national political and cultural center. Over time, however, Channel 24 shifted its programming strategy toward news, analysis, and current affairs. This repositioning made news coverage the central identity of the brand and reduced the importance of its original entertainment-oriented programming mix. According to the cited reference material, Channel 24 became Bangladesh's leading news channel within two years of its launch. Its offering has included regular news bulletins, political and current-affairs discussions, interview programs, sports coverage, entertainment segments, and lifestyle content. Listed programs include Amar Joto Gaan, Beyond the Gallery, Entertainment 24, Lifestyle 24, Mukhomukhi, Prosongo Rajniti, and Sports 24. These programs indicate a portfolio that combines hard news and political discussion with selected cultural, entertainment, and sports formats. The channel has also participated in developments affecting Bangladesh's wider news ecosystem. In May 2016, it was among nine Bangladeshi television channels that agreed to subscribe to Prism, a video-based news agency operated by children and associated with Bdnews24.com. In July 2023, Channel 24 introduced what the reference identifies as Bangladesh's first AI news anchor. Named Aparajita, the synthetic presenter debuted on 19 July 2023 and became a notable example of the channel's use of emerging presentation technology. Channel 24's news role was particularly visible during Bangladesh's political upheaval in August 2024. On 5 August, during the non-cooperation movement, the channel broadcast live footage of protesters entering Ganabhaban, the official residence of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as celebrations followed reports of her resignation. The episode illustrates the channel's position as a live-news broadcaster during major national events. The brand has also faced scrutiny over editorial content. On 18 September 2013, comments made by two participants on the talk show Muktobaak questioned whether the rights of Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury had been respected during proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal, including the presentation of defense witnesses. The comments were subsequently characterized as baseless and false, and a contempt petition was brought against channel officials. This incident forms part of Channel 24's documented history as a broadcaster operating in Bangladesh's politically sensitive news environment.
History
Channel 24 is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language satellite and cable television channel owned by Times Media Limited, which is identified as a subsidiary of the Ha-meem Group. The channel's regulatory foundation dates to February 2010, when the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission granted it a license to broadcast. Channel 24 conducted test transmissions beginning on 22 August 2011. Its official launch followed on 24 May 2012 at 19:00 Bangladesh Standard Time. The service initially entered the market as a general-interest television channel. Its early schedule included a broad mixture of drama, news, television films, music, sports, talk shows, and other entertainment formats. It also carried programming intended for audiences in Chittagong, giving the channel a regional dimension within its wider national service. This original format placed Channel 24 alongside Bangladesh's mixed-programming television outlets rather than defining it exclusively as a news provider. The channel subsequently changed direction and concentrated most of its schedule on news and current affairs. This change became the central strategic turning point in the brand's early development. Within two years of its launch, the cited reference states that Channel 24 had become Bangladesh's top news channel. Its programming identity thereafter centered on news reporting, political coverage, interviews, discussion programs, and analysis, while retaining selected sports, entertainment, cultural, and lifestyle formats. Among the programs associated with the channel are Amar Joto Gaan, Beyond the Gallery, Entertainment 24, Lifestyle 24, Mukhomukhi, Prosongo Rajniti, and Sports 24. Together, these titles show how Channel 24 has maintained a broader television presence even as news and current affairs became its dominant editorial focus. Channel 24 has taken part in several developments in the Bangladeshi television and digital-news environment. In May 2016, it was one of nine Bangladeshi television channels that signed an agreement with Bdnews24.com to subscribe to Prism, a video-based news agency run by children. On 19 July 2023, the channel introduced Aparajita, described in the reference material as Bangladesh's first AI news anchor. The launch gave Channel 24 a visible association with experimentation in automated and synthetic news presentation. The channel's live-news role was especially prominent during the political crisis of August 2024. On 5 August, during the non-cooperation movement, it aired live footage of protesters storming Ganabhaban, the official residence of the then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as people celebrated her resignation. The broadcast reflected the importance of television news channels in documenting rapidly changing national events. Channel 24's history also includes an editorial controversy. On 18 September 2013, two participants on the talk show Muktobaak stated that Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury's rights had been curtailed because he was not allowed to present defense witnesses during proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal. The comments were subsequently described as baseless and utterly false, and a contempt petition was filed against channel officials. The incident illustrates the legal and political sensitivities associated with televised discussion of Bangladesh's war-crimes proceedings and other contentious public matters.
- 2024
Live coverage of events at Ganabhaban
[1]On 5 August 2024, Channel 24 broadcast live footage of protesters entering Ganabhaban during the non-cooperation movement and celebrations following Sheikh Hasina's reported resignation.
- 2023
Aparajita AI news anchor debuts
[1]Channel 24 introduced Aparajita on 19 July 2023, identified in the reference as the first AI news anchor used by a Bangladeshi television channel.
- 2016
Prism subscription agreement
[1]Channel 24 joined eight other Bangladeshi television channels in an agreement to subscribe to Prism, a video-based news agency associated with Bdnews24.com.
- 2014
Emergence as a leading news channel
[1]The cited reference states that Channel 24 became Bangladesh's top news channel within two years of launch, following its shift toward news and current affairs.
- 2012
Official launch
[1]The channel officially began transmissions on 24 May 2012 at 19:00 Bangladesh Standard Time as a mixed-format television service.
- 2011
Test transmissions begin
[1]Channel 24 began test transmissions on 22 August 2011.
- 2010
Broadcasting license granted
[1]The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission granted Channel 24 a license to broadcast.
Products and positioning
A Bangladeshi Bengali-language television brand positioned primarily as a news and current-affairs broadcaster, with additional sports, entertainment, cultural, and lifestyle programming.
Television programming
News and current-affairs programming
The core of Channel 24's present identity is Bengali-language news and current-affairs television. This includes news reporting, political coverage, interviews, discussion programs, and analysis. The channel moved from a mixed entertainment schedule toward this news-led model after launch.
Political discussion
Prosongo Rajniti
Prosongo Rajniti is a Channel 24 program centered on political issues and public affairs. It represents the channel's emphasis on televised political discussion within its wider news and current-affairs portfolio.
Talk show
Mukhomukhi
Mukhomukhi is a talk-show offering listed among Channel 24's programming. Its inclusion reflects the channel's use of interview and discussion formats alongside conventional news bulletins.
Sports programming
Sports 24
Sports 24 is Channel 24's sports-oriented program brand. It extends the broadcaster's schedule beyond politics and general news into sports reporting and related coverage.
Lifestyle programming
Lifestyle 24
Lifestyle 24 is a lifestyle-focused program listed in Channel 24's schedule. It represents one of the non-news formats retained within the channel's broader television offering.
Entertainment programming
Entertainment 24
Entertainment 24 is an entertainment program associated with Channel 24. It reflects the channel's original mixed-format positioning and its continuing provision of entertainment content alongside news.
AI news presentation · 2023
Aparajita
Aparajita is an AI news anchor introduced by Channel 24 on 19 July 2023. The reference describes the debut as the first introduction of an AI news anchor by a Bangladeshi television channel.
Controversies
2013
Muktobaak comments and contempt petition
On 18 September 2013, two participants on Muktobaak discussed the treatment of Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury's rights during International Crimes Tribunal proceedings. Their claims concerning the presentation of defense witnesses were later described as baseless and false, leading to a contempt petition against Channel 24 officials.
Brand decisions
2023
Introduction of AI anchor AparajitaProduct launchBackground
The channel explored the use of artificial intelligence in television news presentation.
Action taken
Channel 24 debuted Aparajita, an AI news anchor, on 19 July 2023.
Aftermath
The launch became a notable technology milestone for Bangladeshi television, although the available reference does not provide further operational details.
2014
Shift toward news and current affairsStrategyBackground
Channel 24 began as a general-interest broadcaster but increasingly emphasized news and public-affairs content.
Action taken
The channel repositioned its schedule so that news and current-affairs programming became its dominant offering.
Aftermath
The cited reference states that Channel 24 became Bangladesh's top news channel within two years of its launch.
2012
Launch as a mixed-format television channelProduct launchBackground
Channel 24 entered the Bangladeshi television market after receiving a broadcasting license and completing test transmissions.
Action taken
It formally commenced transmissions on 24 May 2012 with programming that included news, drama, films, music, sports, talk shows, and entertainment.
Aftermath
The channel later moved away from its broad initial schedule and concentrated primarily on news and current affairs.
Recent events
- 2024
Channel 24 broadcasts live footage from Ganabhaban during political upheaval[1]
Other
During the non-cooperation movement on 5 August 2024, Channel 24 broadcast live footage of protesters entering Ganabhaban, the official residence of the then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, amid celebrations following reports of her resignation.
- 2023
Channel 24 introduces AI news anchor Aparajita[1]
Product launch · Other
Channel 24 debuted Aparajita on 19 July 2023. The reference describes her as the first AI news anchor introduced by a Bangladeshi television channel.
- 2016
Channel 24 participates in Prism video-news agreement[1]
Other
Channel 24 was one of nine Bangladeshi television channels reported to have signed an agreement with Bdnews24.com to subscribe to Prism, a video-based news agency run by children.
- 2012
Channel 24 formally begins television transmissions[1]
Product launch
Channel 24 officially commenced transmissions on 24 May 2012 after receiving a broadcasting license and conducting test transmissions in 2011. It initially operated as a mixed-format channel.
Sources2 sources
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