Peace TV Bangla

Peace TV Bangla is the Bengali-language service associated with Peace TV, an international satellite television network focused on Islamic religious, educational, and discussion programming. It was launched on 22 April 2011 to serve Bengali-speaking viewers, particularly in Bangladesh and among Bengali-speaking audiences outside the country. The service formed part of Peace TV's broader multilingual expansion, which also included English, Urdu, Chinese, Albanian, and other language offerings. The channel's programming model was built around what the parent network described as religious "edutainment": lectures, question-and-answer programs, debates, sermons, discussions of Islamic doctrine, and family or social guidance presented from an Islamic perspective. Bengali-language distribution made the network's presenters and religious content accessible to audiences who might not ordinarily watch the principal English-language service. Available information does not establish a separate corporate structure, independent ownership, or distinct headquarters for Peace TV Bangla; it is best understood as a language service or sub-brand within the Peace TV network. Peace TV itself was created by Zakir Naik on 21 January 2006 and began satellite broadcasting later that year. The network operated from Dubai and distributed free-to-air religious programming internationally. Its presenters and contributors included Naik and a number of Islamic speakers associated with the wider Peace TV operation. The Bengali service's launch came during a period when Peace TV was extending its reach through additional language channels and satellite platforms. The channel's history is closely connected to regulatory and political controversy surrounding the wider Peace TV network. Authorities in several countries raised concerns about allegedly inflammatory or extremist content, hate speech, and non-compliance with broadcasting requirements. Bangladesh blocked Peace TV on 10 July 2016 after the Dhaka terrorist attack and subsequent public debate about the network's possible influence. The decision affected the channel's availability in its principal intended market. Reports stated that Bangladeshi authorities consulted internal security bodies before ordering the block. The precise later operating status of the Bengali service is not established by the available references. Peace TV also faced regulatory action in other markets. The UK's Ofcom found breaches involving offensive or potentially inciting statements in programs broadcast by the wider network, while Sri Lankan operators were instructed to remove the channel after the 2019 Easter attacks amid an inquiry into Islamic extremism. The UK service later withdrew from the market after a financial penalty. These events concern the broader Peace TV operation, but they are relevant to the context in which Peace TV Bangla was distributed and perceived. Because public information about Peace TV Bangla as a distinct service is limited, details such as its individual management, programming schedule, transmission partners, subscriber or viewer figures, and current availability cannot be confirmed here. No reliable source in the supplied material establishes a separate founder, owner, listing, financial record, or current headquarters for the Bengali channel.

Peace TV Bangla emerged from the expansion of Peace TV into multilingual broadcasting. The parent network was established by Zakir Naik on 21 January 2006 and operated as a free-to-air satellite television service based in Dubai. Its stated purpose was to distribute Islamic lectures, debates, question-and-answer sessions, and educational programming to a global audience. Peace TV began satellite transmission on Arabsat's BADR-3 platform in October 2006, and its broader network subsequently added services in languages including Urdu, Albanian, Chinese, and Bengali. The Bengali service launched on 22 April 2011. Its intended audience consisted of Bengali-speaking viewers, especially in Bangladesh, where Bengali is the dominant language and where religious television could reach audiences through satellite and other television distribution systems. The launch gave Peace TV a localized outlet for translating or presenting the network's religious material in Bengali rather than relying on English or Urdu services. The available references do not identify a separate founder, editorial board, license holder, transmission operator, or corporate entity specifically for Peace TV Bangla. The service operated within the wider Peace TV programming and organizational model. Peace TV promoted its broadcasts as a form of religious education and entertainment, combining lectures and doctrinal explanation with debates, audience questions, and programs addressing family or social matters. Presenters associated with the network included Zakir Naik and other Islamic speakers from different countries. However, the supplied reference material does not provide a verified program catalogue or a sufficiently detailed schedule for the Bengali service itself. Peace TV's international distribution increasingly encountered regulatory scrutiny. In India, the wider network was reported to have failed to register with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and was subsequently banned in 2012 over government concerns about allegedly malicious anti-Indian content. In the United Kingdom, Ofcom investigated complaints about hate speech and ruled in 2012 that a broadcast of Dare to Ask breached rules on offensive material. The ruling concerned statements about apostasy and the death penalty. Peace TV argued that the statements reflected religious teaching and had been taken out of context. The most consequential event for Peace TV Bangla occurred in Bangladesh in 2016. After the Dhaka terrorist attack, public debate focused on whether the network's content could encourage extremist views. Reporting stated that one of the attackers had followed Zakir Naik's Facebook page and had shared excerpts from his speeches. On 10 July 2016, the Bangladeshi government blocked Peace TV after consulting internal security agencies. The action effectively removed the Bengali service from its principal named market, although the available sources do not establish whether it continued through unofficial, online, or overseas distribution. Further controversy affected the parent network in 2018 and 2019. A Peace TV program included derogatory statements about homosexuality and AIDS; in July 2019, Ofcom found that three programs breached rules concerning hate speech, offence, abusive treatment, and incitement to crime. The license holder disputed the regulator's interpretation and characterized the content as a religiously based opposition to homosexuality. In Sri Lanka, Peace TV was removed by cable operators after the April 2019 Easter attacks as part of an inquiry into Islamic extremism. The UK operation later withdrew in 2020 after a £300,000 fine for inciting murder. The current status of Peace TV Bangla is not established by the supplied sources. The channel's website is listed as http://www.peacetvbangla.com, but the references do not verify present-day broadcasting, ownership, headquarters, or active distribution. Accordingly, the service is documented as a Peace TV language channel launched in 2011, with its later availability treated as unknown.

• 2020

  Peace TV withdraws from the UK

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  The wider network left the UK after a statutory broadcasting penalty.

• 2019

  Sri Lankan distribution restricted

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  Cable operators in Sri Lanka were ordered to remove Peace TV after the Easter Sunday attacks.

• 2016

  Bangladesh blocks Peace TV

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  Bangladesh blocked the network on 10 July after the Dhaka attack and ensuing security and political controversy.

• 2012

  Peace TV banned in India

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  India banned the wider Peace TV operation after regulatory and content-related concerns.

• 2011

  Peace TV Bangla launched

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  The Bengali-language service began on 22 April 2011 for Bengali-speaking viewers.

• 2006

  Peace TV network founded

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  Zakir Naik created the wider Peace TV network on 21 January 2006.

• 2006

  Peace TV begins satellite broadcasting

  [1]Peace TVen.wikipedia.org

  The parent network launched satellite transmission on Arabsat's BADR-3 platform in October 2006.

Bengali-language Islamic religious and educational television service distributed as part of the international Peace TV network.

• Bengali-language religious television · 2011

  Peace TV Bangla television service

  The core offering was a Bengali-language television channel within the Peace TV network. It was intended to make Islamic lectures, discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and related educational programming accessible to Bengali-speaking audiences. The supplied sources do not establish a complete schedule, distribution technology, or current availability.

• Religious programming

  Bengali Islamic broadcasts

  Programming associated with the service consisted of religious instruction and discussion presented in Bengali or adapted for Bengali-speaking viewers. Typical formats included sermons, lectures, debates, audience questions, and programs concerning family and social issues. Individual flagship programs specific to the Bangla service are not identified in the available references.

• 2019

  Regulatory findings concerning hate speech and incitement

  Ofcom found that three Peace TV programs, including a discussion containing derogatory statements about homosexuality and AIDS, breached rules on hate speech, offence, abusive treatment, and incitement to crime. The license holder contested the findings. The matter concerned the wider Peace TV operation rather than a program identified specifically as Peace TV Bangla.

  Source

• 2016

  Bangladesh ban following the Dhaka terrorist attack

  After the July 2016 Dhaka attack, Bangladeshi authorities and the public debated whether speeches associated with Peace TV had influenced extremist beliefs. The government blocked Peace TV on 10 July after consulting internal security services. The decision directly affected the Bengali-language channel's access to its principal target market.

  Source

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• 2016

  Bangladesh blocks Peace TV distributionOther

  Background

  The Dhaka terrorist attack prompted scrutiny of religious broadcasters and debate about alleged influence from statements associated with Peace TV and Zakir Naik.

  Action taken

  The Bangladeshi government blocked Peace TV on 10 July after consultation with internal security agencies.

  Aftermath

  Peace TV was no longer legally available through ordinary distribution in Bangladesh. The specific subsequent status of Peace TV Bangla is not documented in the supplied material.

  Source

• 2011

  Launch of the Bengali-language channelProduct launch

  Background

  Peace TV was expanding beyond its principal English-language service into channels designed for specific linguistic audiences.

  Action taken

  The network launched Peace TV Bangla on 22 April 2011 for Bengali-speaking viewers.

  Aftermath

  The service became the network's Bengali-language outlet, but later availability and distribution after regulatory restrictions in Bangladesh are not established.

  Source

1. 1Peace TVen.wikipedia.org