Bangabandhu 1, the country’s first communication satellite, would be used to telecast Bangladesh Television (BTV) programs in India as connection between Indian Doordarshan and BS-1 was fixed.
With the technical development already put in place, preparations are all set for airing BTV in India through the DTH (Direct-To-Home) platform of Doordarshan, the state-owned TV channel of India, officials said.
”Already all official and technical matters are finalized. Now, we are fully ready to start airing BTV in India at any time,” said Director General of BTV SM Haroon-or-Rashid told state news agency BSS on Thursday (Jul 4).
Haroon said the BTV and Doordarshan’s technical teams have watched BTV Tuesday evening, having down linked its programs at Doordarshan’s earth station by fixing alignment of BS-1 (Bangabandhu Satellite).
“We are happy that picture quality of BTV was very good. We are getting a very good signal,” said Haroon, who is leading a 3-member BTV technical team in Delhi to finalize technical aspects with Doordarshan.
During the last two days, the BTV DG and his team held a series of meetings with their Doordarshan counterparts to discuss technical aspects before going for formal telecast of BTV in India.
When asked, Haroon after returning home, he said he will sit with higher authorities to fix a date of starting telecasting BTV in India formally. “We are fully ready….we can go for operation any time,” he said.
Bangladeshi private TV channels can also take this opportunity to telecast their program contents in the neighboring state, he added.
Earlier, an agreement was signed on May 7 in this regard and the new information and broadcasting minister of India approved the deal on Jun 19.
In Bangladesh, seven privately owned television stations and three channels of state-run Bangladesh Television have started airing programs using Bangabandhu-1.