MOhammed Ali LIVE!

The temporary booths of Impress Telefilm, large dish and television screens were grabbing audience attention while they were enjoying the performances by Chhayanot's artist. While the Chhayanot's program was being concluded with a speech from Sanjida Khatun, officials of Impress Telefilm were speechless in happiness. For the first time, a private television channel gave a live telecast of a program of this magnitude. They were the silent witnesses of history. At that time phone lines were busy at the Impress Telefilm office since everyone was calling to wish them. Most of the calls came from abroad to thank them for giving them the opportunity to enjoy the morning of Pahela Baishakh after a long time. Channel i is the first ever digital channel in Bangla. The trend of its New Year welcome programs started with the live telecast. Its goal was to grab audiences while proving Channel would be ready for any kind of occasion.

As a private television Channel i received print coverage with importance. But where is that history? When the first live telecast of a program had been held at Bangladesh Television? As a International program the first program which had been telecasted LIVE was Mohammad Ali's boxing match. At that time the only satellite center was “Talibabad Bhu-Upogroho Kendra”. The word “satellite” wasn't used then due to which the name has been changed from satellite center to “Bhu-Upogroho Kendra”.

The fight was between Mohammad Ali and Joe Frazier. It has been decided that Bangladesh Television will telecast it live. Nowadays these types of live cricket matches are shown on Bangladesh Television and many other channels. There are commentaries in between regarding cricket. In foreign channels there are commentaries during the cricket match. But at that time television officials didn't know about other sports they could telecast live except Mohammad Ali's match. Yet Mustafa Monwar planned to show the current condition of Bangladesh's boxing scene apart from foreign boxing. Producer Belal Beg has been told to bring local boxers, a real boxing ring has already been made, along with a bigger set in studio 2. At first armature boxers will start – then they will be telecasted live. But Belal Beg has brought around 40 boxers. Mustafa Monwar asked him why he has brought so many boxers while they need only two boxers to perform.

Belal Beg said the boxers have no televisions at their house, but love boxing. That is why he brought them to let them watch Mohammad Ali's boxing.

The television officials of that time used to think like this way. Live programs don't mean just live telecasting, if they were concerned about it, then how can they reach their target audience? That is why the programs which used to get telecasted from DIT studio could easily gain the attentions of audiences. At that time nobody was concerned about making luxurious sets, nobody was concerned about hiring star artists. All they were concerned about was making good quality programs.

Translated By Imtiaz Salim