Launched 1 October 1999 Website channelionline.com Dish Network (USA) Channel 806 Founded 1999 | Owned by Impress Group Telstar 10 (Pan Asia) 4034H MHz Headquarters Dhaka | |
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Broadcast area Bangladesh, Pan Asia, UK, Ireland and USA | ||
Channel I is a privately owned television network in Bangladesh. It is owned by the Impress Group, among the largest conglomerates in Bangladesh with interests in textiles, pharmaceuticals and media.
The Impress Group first moved beyond textile production and into television in the early 1980s under the tutelage of Faridur Reza Sagor, who had heretofore worked at state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) on a freelance basis. The initial steps into television involved setting up Impress Telefilm, which produced small mini-series and one-off shows for BTV.
In the 1997, Impress Group looked into starting up its own satellite channel. Channel I was launched in the 1 June 1997, broadcasting pre-recorded programs 12 hours day. Within two years of its official launch, Channel I began broadcasting 24 hours a day and became the first digital channel in Bangladesh.
Currently, Channel I competes with several other domestic satellite channels, including ATN Bangla, Ekushey TV and NTV. For the past decade, the channel has held the highest market share among non-terrestrial channels in Bangladesh.
It currently broadcasts satellite transmissions using PanAm Sat, which covers most of Asia and parts of Australia.
Channel I started transmissions on 1 October 1999. It broadcasts many educational programs.
Channel I is also the first satellite channel in Bangladesh to broadcast modern western-themed telefilms such as Play, directed by M-SIB.