Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu yesterday categorically said Bangladesh Television (BTV) compared to other private TV channels in the country was remained ahead in terms of popularity.
“It was reflected in various studies conducted at home and abroad that the BTV is ahead of other TV channels in terms of single TV channel viewers’ choice standard,” he said.
Responding to a question of treasury bench member Muhibur Rahman Manik (Sunamganj-5) in the House, Inu termed as ‘baseless’ such a perception that the BTV is lagging behind other private TV channels in regard to viewers’ choice standard.
He said the BTV, the lone state-owned electronic media, has 97 percent terrestrial coverage across the country and apart from this BTV and BTV World telecast programmes worldwide through satellite.
“Not giving importance to cheap entertainment progarmmes, the BTV produces programmes based on our War of Liberation, history, culture and education of people and airs those for viewers,” he added.
Besides, the BTV has been producing different types of programmes including spot event, documentary and awareness programmes and air those for its viewers. As a result, there is confusion about the viewer’s popularity of BTV and that was not correct, he added.
Responding to a written question of Awami League lawmaker Nurunnabi Chowdhury (Bhola-3), the minister said the government during the last six years has implemented various progranmmes for modernizing the BTV and produced standard programmes for the viewers.
The programmes included, construction of 12-storied headquarters for BTV, installation of digital transmitre, procurement of digital camera and lighting equipment, expansion of Chittagong TV center, setting up of transmitting tower and equipment at Chittagong center, setting up of a full-fledged TV centers at divisional towns, modernization, digitalization and automation of Bangladesh Television central system, IT development, introduction of digital terrestrial telecast system and setting up of BTV museum.
Besides, various programmes for modernizing Bangladesh Betar were also taken during the last six years, he added.
