Govt to launch TV stations in 6 major cities

The government is going to set up six fully fledged TV stations at six divisional headquarters to promote local talents and project various awareness-building programmes, including campaigns against militancy.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved Tk 1,391 crore for the project with 71 percent of it being financed by China.

The six TV stations would be set up in Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Barisal and would go on air by December next year.

A high official of the information ministry said the fully fledged stations would be both terrestrial and satellite-based so that viewers across the country can see their programmes.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal after the Ecnec meeting told reporters public awareness would be built against terrorism and militancy through the new TV stations. He added regional culture and history and entertainment programmes would also be produced and telecast.

The government revenue would also increase by the telecast of advertisement and various sponsored programmes, he observed.

He further said the meeting proposed setting up five TV stations, but the prime minister differed, saying as Mymensingh was a divisional city, it needed a station as well.

Quoting the premier, the planning minister said the six TV stations would have to be built with Tk 1,391 crore -- the amount proposed for five.

A Chinese company, Aerospace Long-March International Trade (ALIT), won the initial permission without competitive bidding, which the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved last year.

Two Chinese firms -- ALIT and Radio, Film & TV Design and Research Institute (DRFT) -- would jointly make the studio and architectural designs of the administrative buildings and construct them, according to the information ministry. The companies would also plan for other equipment

and purchase and install those.

After a detailed discussion, BTV and the Chinese company have prepared the draft commercial contract, said an information ministry official, adding, it would be activated after the financial agreement was signed.

The BTV authorities have already prepared the draft of the contract, which would be signed with the proposed company.

Alongside production and airing of programmes of national interests, local artists would be given airtime to showcase their talent so that they can later take part in national programmes, the official said.

For example, they would telecast local news as well as the national news on BTV.

No decision has yet been taken as to whether the six TV stations would operate 24-7 or less, the ministry official said.

Initially, the stations would most likely air programmes for five to six hours, with the airtime being gradually increased.

The BTV has its own land in four divisional cities and needs to acquire land in Barisal and Mymensingh only.