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For the first time under the interim government, two news-based television stations have been granted broadcasting licenses.
The stations, named Next TV and Live TV, are linked to prominent figures from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the National Citizens’ Committee, bdnews24.com reports.
The stations are expected to begin broadcasting in early or mid-2026, according to sources involved in the process.
Next TV was approved on Jun 24 this year, under the company name 36 Media Limited. The station’s office is located in Karatitala Lane of Old Dhaka’s Gendaria.
The managing director (MD) of Next TV is Mohammad Arifur Rahaman Tuhin, who is also the joint chief coordinator of NCP. Tuhin has previously worked with English daily The Business Post, Bengali daily Desh Rupantor, and Naya Diganta. He is also a former member of the National Citizens’ Committee.
Live TV was approved on Jul 14, under the company name Minerva Media Limited, with its office located at Road 143, Gulshan 1. Its MD, Arifur Rahman Aranya, is a former student of Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research (2013-2014 session).
From 2015 to 2022, he served as Dhaka University’s correspondent for New Age. Aranya was a member of the National Citizens’ Committee but has not joined the NCP.
When contacted, Mohammad Altaf-ul-Alam, additional secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Broadcasting Division, said: “The approval of these two TV stations is correct. It has been some time now [since authorisation].”
During the Awami League’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, 28 television stations were licensed, with most granted to government-linked businessmen, journalists, and politicians. Similar claims have been made about the recent approvals under the interim government.
Currently, 50 private TV stations exist in the country, 36 of which are fully operational, while 14 are awaiting broadcast approval.
When asked about the status of Live TV, Aranya said: “Some paperwork is still pending. I hope we can start broadcasting next year. The frequency allocation process is still under way.”