Broadcast businesses on the brink

The private satellite channels of Bangladesh have been struggling to maintain their business for some time now. With approximately 30 private channels in existence, many of them are facing financial complications. Yet, more channels are in the pipeline, ready to air upon authorisation. How are they going to survive in a market that seems to be in a crisis already?

Even though the quantity of channels has gone up, the quality has not. In fact, the lack of qualitative material on our TV channels has led people to turn to foreign programmes and channels, as well as streaming services.

It is evident that TV is losing its grace. Even with the limited amount of entertaining content, TV channels tend to air advertisements repetitively, so much so that one can’t help but flip to the next channel just to avoid the monotony. If our TV industry is not resuscitated soon, it might be too late to “switch it back on” again.

Md Sayeeduzzaman, East West University