Bangladesh cable operators shut foreign TV channels with ads

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Bangladesh cable operators have stopped broadcasting foreign TV channels that air programs with commercials. However, Akash DTH, a direct-to-home service is continuing broadcasting foreign channels with advertisements. Akash DTH is owned by Beximco Communications.

Bangladesh cable operators have also stopped broadcasting foreign news channels such as BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Zee News, DW TV, NDTV, NHK, France 24, Rai News, RT etcetera.

From October 1, 2021, as per government’s directives, broadcasting foreign television channels with advertisements are not allowed. Earlier on 2 September, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said a decision has been taken to implement ad-free (clean feed) broadcasting of foreign TV channels.

The cable operators said it is not possible to broadcast foreign channels by scrapping advertisements hence they have stopped the broadcast.

SM Anwar Parvez, founding president of the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), said the information ministry had directed to shut down all channels with advertisements after 30 September.

SM Anwar Parvez, founding president of the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), said the information ministry had directed to shut down all channels with advertisements after 30 September.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said: “We will operate mobile courts from October 1 across the country. If the serial determined for television on cable lines at the tripartite meeting of the ministry, the Television Channel Owners’ Association and cable operators is not maintained and advertisements are shown, legal action will be taken against the distributors and operators who have the downlink approval of those channels”.

In countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, “cable operators cannot broadcast foreign TV channels without clean feed”, the minister said.

“The operators were already informed in August about the drive. The excuse of foreign channels not sending clean feeds will no longer be tolerated,” he added.

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