Channel i turns 14

The country's first satellite TV station Channel i started its journey on October 1, 1998, from a small building in Siddheshwari, Dhaka. With the slogan “Hridoye Bangladesh”, the channel turned 14 yesterday. The stage has grown bigger for the TV station, with the channel moving to larger premises in Tejgaon.
A press conference was held at the Channel i office on September 29 to mark the founding anniversary. At the conference, managing director of Channel i, Faridur Reza Sagar, explained the channel's purposes and programmes.
The discussion explained how Channel i has leaped over the fences of being just an ordinary TV channel, and transcended into a multi-faceted organisation which represents the country's culture, heritage and the ideals of the Liberation War.
The Channel i premises, meanwhile, fashioned a festive look on October 1. The well decorated open stage played host to daylong festivities, which included dances, musical performances, recitations and speeches from eminent personalities. The channel aired the programme live, as well as showing special programmes from the studio.
An adaptation of a Humayun Ahmed story -- “Otithi” -- was aired to mark the occasion. The day's celebrations also included a festive rally in the morning, while the eminent guests were given uttoriyo on the open stage. A huge cake was also cut in the evening, to celebrate the channel's birthday.
Faridur Reza Sagar and Shykh Seraj exchanged greetings with guests throughout the day. Saying that Channel i's journey has been made possible with everyone's support, Sagar expressed hopes that the good wishes will continue in the future. Shykh Seraj on the other hand asserted that the slogan “Hridoye Bangladesh” shows how the station has become a channel for all the people of the country.
In its 14-year journey, Channel i now has the technology to broadcast in six different continents. Along with airing dramas, films, talk shows, music and dance programmes, the channel's “Shera Konthho” talent hunt has paved way for aspiring young singers to find their way to the spotlight. Channel i also looks to provide entertainment for the expatriates by holding award shows on foreign soil. Its “Lux Superstar” pageant has also gained much popularity over the years. Organising Nazrul and Rabindra fairs have also become a landmark achievement for the channel, while the programme “Prokriti O Jibon” has made a unique mark. It has also expanded its operations into film production, making new movies each year to develop the country's film industry.