Kolkata TV
Indian 24-hour Bengali-language television news channel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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History
Kolkata TV was launched in 2006 as a Bengali-language news channel by SST Media. Its establishment is associated with Suman Chattopadhyay, a former ABP News staff member. From the outset, the channel was designed as a continuous news service for Bengali-speaking audiences, with Kolkata and West Bengal as its principal geographic and editorial focus. The channel’s branding presents it as an always-on news source. Its slogan, “Raatdin Saatdin,” translates as “day and night, seven days,” conveying a commitment to round-the-clock coverage. Although the available references do not document every programme or distribution arrangement, the channel’s core activity is Bengali television news, complemented by an official online presence. A major ownership and management change occurred in 2009, when Kaustuv Ray took over the channel. The reference material says that he assumed control without purchasing shares and later served as the channel’s editor and owner. The station is operated by RP Techvision (I) Pvt Ltd., a Calcutta-based company associated with the RP Group, whose chair is identified as Ray. Kolkata TV developed a distinct political identity within India’s regional news environment. Reference material describes it as critical of the Narendra Modi government and sympathetic toward the Trinamool Congress. That characterization has made the channel part of wider debates about political alignment, editorial independence, and the role of regional television news in West Bengal. The channel’s ownership context became legally and politically sensitive in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In 2018, Ray reportedly faced Enforcement Directorate raids and was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation over allegations that banks had been defrauded of around 515 crore rupees. In September 2021, the Enforcement Directorate reportedly issued another notice to him. These proceedings were allegations and investigative actions; the supplied material does not provide a final adjudication. In September 2021, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a notice asking Kolkata TV to explain why its licence should not be cancelled. The notice reportedly referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ refusal of security clearance. Ray rejected the government’s position and described it as an effort to silence a media outlet critical of the prime minister. The dispute drew support from multiple political parties and public figures in Bengal and elsewhere, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Judicial proceedings provided temporary relief. A special CBI court reportedly directed Enforcement Directorate officers not to take coercive action against Ray pending a hearing. The Calcutta High Court also stayed the Union government’s notice to the channel. The available references do not establish the final disposition of the licence dispute or the related investigations. Kolkata TV remains identifiable as a regional Bengali news brand whose importance derives from its continuous news format, Kolkata base, political voice, and involvement in debates over media regulation and press freedom.
- 2021
Licence and security-clearance dispute
[1]The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issues a notice concerning possible licence cancellation after the Ministry of Home Affairs denies security clearance.
- 2021
Court intervention in regulatory dispute
[1]A special CBI court limits coercive action against Ray pending a hearing, and the Calcutta High Court stays the Union government’s notice.
- 2018
Investigative action involving Kaustuv Ray
[1]Ray is reportedly subject to Enforcement Directorate raids and arrested by the CBI over alleged bank fraud.
- 2009
Kaustuv Ray takes control
[1]Kaustuv Ray takes over the channel and becomes associated with its ownership and editorial leadership.
- 2006
Kolkata TV launches
[1]SST Media launches Kolkata TV as a 24-hour Bengali-language news channel.
Products and positioning
A Kolkata-based Bengali news outlet focused on continuous regional and political news coverage, with a publicly recognized critical stance toward the Modi government and reported sympathy toward the Trinamool Congress.
Bengali television news channel · 2006
Kolkata TV
The brand’s principal product is a 24-hour Bengali-language television news service launched in 2006. It covers regional, national, political and public-affairs news for Bengali-speaking viewers, with a strong focus on Kolkata and West Bengal. Reference material characterizes the channel as critical of the Modi government and sympathetic toward the Trinamool Congress. Its “Raatdin Saatdin” slogan communicates continuous, seven-day news availability.
Digital news platform
Kolkata TV online platform
Kolkata TV maintains an official online presence at kolkatatv.org. The supplied material confirms the website but does not provide a full description of its digital formats, publishing schedule, video catalogue, or audience metrics. It functions as the brand’s web-facing extension for Bengali news and channel-related content.
Controversies
2021
Licence-cancellation and security-clearance dispute
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reportedly asked Kolkata TV to justify why its licence should not be cancelled after the Ministry of Home Affairs denied security clearance. The channel’s owner described the action as an attempt to silence critical media. Political leaders supported the channel, while courts provided temporary relief through orders limiting coercive action and staying the government notice.
2018
Investigations involving Kaustuv Ray
Kaustuv Ray was reportedly raided by the Enforcement Directorate and arrested by the CBI in connection with allegations that banks had been defrauded of approximately 515 crore rupees. The reference material does not establish a final judicial outcome, and the allegations concern Ray rather than a proven offence by Kolkata TV.
Brand decisions
2021
Challenge to government licence noticeOtherBackground
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a notice concerning possible cancellation of the channel’s licence after a security-clearance issue.
Action taken
Kolkata TV and Kaustuv Ray challenged the government’s position publicly and through legal proceedings.
Aftermath
A special CBI court restricted coercive action against Ray pending a hearing, and the Calcutta High Court stayed the Union government’s notice. The supplied sources do not state the final outcome.
2009
Ownership and editorial-control transitionStrategyBackground
After its launch by SST Media, the channel entered a new ownership and management phase when Kaustuv Ray took control.
Action taken
Ray took over the channel and became associated with its ownership and editorial direction without, according to the reference, purchasing shares.
Aftermath
Kolkata TV became closely identified with Ray, the RP Group and a politically distinctive editorial stance.
Sources2 sources
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