Visions of the pioneer satellite channel

(L) Saiful Bari, (R) Nawazish Ali Khan

The Daily Star: ATN Bangla is another name among the country's television viewers with satellite cable connection. How do you evaluate the impression of ATN Bangla as a private TV channel?

Saiful Bari (SB): Founded in 1997, this is the first ever satellite TV channel in the country. The channel's impression is actually a mixture of opinions. We have quite a few good programmes that have attracted the audience. We have also some drawbacks--mostly technical--that have put us behind other TV channels. We are however developing gradually.

TDS: Among the criticisms of ATN Bangla, one is that the transmission gets often faulty resulting in still picture, incoherence between picture and sound, and the like. What is your opinion?

SB: Yes, we have lots of problems in transmission. The satellite link is not strong enough. But we are trying to improve it. Audience must have noticed by now that the inconsistency has decreased to a considerable extent.

TDS: Another area of allegation is the linguistic inefficiency of your journalists.

SB: Yes, we admit it. But we are organising training and workshops to improve this.

TDS: Which programmes will you name that make the channel worth watching?

Nawazish Ali Khan (NAK): There are in fact several of them. Some of them have stopped by now, anyway, like the show Abdullah Al Mamuner Adhghonta and the talk show Kothamala. These were good programmes and attracted viewers. And also there is Amra Korbo Joy--a programme by children aged about 10-15. Regarding subject-based interview shows one must mention Face to Face. And amongst the musical shows Pop Dhamaka surely entertains its audience.

TDS: You have a few magazine shows too.

NAK: Yes, Kichhukkhon has a large audience. Although items of the show do not always have much intellectual depth and the humour is rather coarse, the final 'punch' the programme involves has a sure effect. It's pure entertainment.

TDS: Sawaal Jawaab is also a highly popular item of ATN. What do you think are its features that give it the acceptance?

NAK: Both the concept and content of the programme contribute to its richness. People, especially those from the middle class have lots of queries regarding religion and also about the religious pertinence of many day-to-day activities.

TDS: Why do you air Bangla films that are very often full of obscenity and violence?

SB: One must admit that the primary objective of any private concern is to return the investment. ATN Bangla too is no exception. Since Bangla films attract a lot of Ads and promotional, we cannot help but showing them.

NAK: Also you must agree that Bangla films have a large audience. Just think of the low-earning people who don't have many options for entertainment. Bangla films are the only source of recreation for them. Above all, we always try to maintain the minimum decency.

TDS: Tell us about your news bulletins--what policy do you follow in news making?

SB: We are always conscious about the national interest and safety.

TDS: How many news bulletins and other similar items are aired on ATN Bangla at present?

SB: Amongst the regular ones, are the hourly bulletins, Graamey-ganjey at 5pm, and three peak-hour bulletins at 7pm, 10pm and 11 pm. Also there is the Breakfast News at 8 am. In fact, we have been the first in the country to air the first news bulletin of each day. And the audience must have noticed that the news is not the repetition of the previous night's news.

TDS: What is the situation regarding Ads and commercials?

SB: The condition is frustrating. Around 60% of the Ads directly go to BTV. The private channels are struggling hard to capture the rest of the market.

NAK: Another point may be added in this context. It is because of this financial crisis that the channel used to show low quality commercials. But we are aware of the regulations about running a private channel. For example, some commercials are permitted to be aired after a certain time of a day.

TDS: Do you have any policy as regards reaching audience who don't have access to the channel?

SB: As an individual channel we do not have any such policy or plan. But personally I believe that there should be a corporation comprising all the private channels. Only then will it be possible to do something in this field. Otherwise, no private channel can do anything alone.

TDS: What are your future plans about the over-all development of ATN Bangla?

NAK: We are soon coming up with a number of new productions celebrating our 6th anniversary. You have already heard about the training and workshops for the improvement of the crew. We are also recruiting more efficient people. Having said all these, we may assure once again that we are going to wear a new look very soon.