According to a government decision, programmes with advertisements on foreign channels cannot be shown in Bangladesh.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said mobile courts would be conducted to implement ad-free (clean feed) broadcast of foreign TV channels from October 1.
On the other hand, Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) says it is not possible to broadcast foreign channels by cutting advertisements. So they have stopped the broadcast.
This has left viewers angered.
"I spend my weekend watching sports and international news… I'm not finding any entertaining programmes in the channels now," said Taposh Barua, an official of a private company.
"I'm an avid football fan and like me there are thousands of people who love the game. We'll miss the sports," he said.
There is a good number of fans of foreign soap operas in the country. They have also expressed fury over the decision.
The section 19 of Cable Television Network Operation Act, 2006 put embargoes on operators in broadcasting advertisement to local viewers through foreign channels.
Though COAB has stopped the broadcast, Akash subscribers were able to watch foreign channels. Akash is a direct-to-home service introduced by Beximco.
Contacted, Zahidul Karim, public relations officer, BEXIMCO Holdings Limited said, "BEXIMCO group and its subsidiaries are compliant of all government rules and regulations, so Akash DTH has already taken steps to block all foreign channels one by one which don't comply with government directives."
"Akash authorities assure all responsible media outlets that by tonight, all non-compliant channels will be blocked and will remain blocked until further directives from the government comes," he added.
Meanwhile, Association of Television Channel Owners Association (ATCO) and Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC) welcomed the government's move for banning programmes with advertisements on foreign channels.
Speaking at a programme on the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of Channel i, the information minister said several thousand crore taka are being invested in foreign channels since the operators do not implement clean feed.
"Local media industry will be benefited if advertisements are not aired on foreign channels. Country's economy will get a boost," said Hasan Mahmud.
The minister also said the country's economy, media industry, artists and culture have been harmed in want of clean feed. That is why the decision has been taken, reads a press release.
SM Anwar Parvez, founding president of COAB, said foreign channels that broadcast programmes with advertisements cannot be shown in the country as per government guidelines and so they have stopped broadcasting those.
He said if the government gives any new instructions or takes steps in future, then they will take action accordingly.
In its statement, BJC said though there was an embargo mentioned in the act, no measures were taken to implement it.
"The government move will lessen the financial crisis of local television channels. Alongside the owners, media staffers will be benefited as well," it reads.
