By Adnan Quadri

They are back. The pioneers are back on track again. In the world of 2000 when cable-TV connection with its tonnes of channels was taking over the hearts of many, kicking out the only TV channel of Bangladesh (i.e. BTV). The pioneers took the challenge of restoring the long lost of glory of Bangladeshi Television history. Bangladesh Television has bored urban populations with stereotype programs, miserably unenthusiastic inarticulate presentation skills and poor picture quality. However, BTV somehow survived by targeting audiences who does not have a cable-TV connection and few villages where electricity has just reached, along with few sets of television.

Then in the form of a redeemer came up the pioneers, Ekushey Television (ETV). To help and save many audiences of Bangladesh from the widespread cable-TV fever. To give relief to the non cable-TV users. With the introduction of Bangladesh's first private channel our day-to-day TV experience was about to change. However, after a few years of successful terrestrial transmission the closure of the country's first private TV channel, left several TV audiences at a loss for good TV entertainment. With a commitment to providing audiences with unbiased news, dramas with good storylines, good music, current events and sports updates ETV was a complete infotainment TV channel.

In fact, Pronab Saha, executive producer of ETV says “ ETV will more focus on providing information rather then entertainment. To pass on information appropriately to all kinds of people, the way of presentation must not be boring. This is where the entertainment factor will take part only.” Flashbacks of ETV will explain the title “The pioneer” it has earned.

“BONDHON” does that ring a bell readers. The first daily soap produced in Bangladesh. It was a completely entertaining daily soap of thirty minutes, full of celebrities. I remember almost all member of my family gathering up in front of the television before 9:00 pm, sharing the story of the last episode with the unfortunate one, who missed it.

Then comes the unbiased, informative not-at-all boring ETV news. Its charming, versatile enthusiastic news reporters and cameramen were really very impressive and persuasive. The colorful blue background and breaks after every ten minutes made ETV news stand out from others. Unlike BTV news, where every day work of the ministers and MP's are relayed to the citizens like a five year old kid briefing every happenings of the day to the parents, ETV news was different. By providing interesting details and thrilling international news beside the horrible happenings in the country, ETV news made audience stick to the television until the news ends.

For fun! There was always Debashish and his “Pother Pechali”. “Pother Pechali” won the heart of many teenagers and the trend of making Pechali Modon started from then on.

For music, many of my peers watched Virgin… takdhum takdhum to keep themselves updated about recently released music albums. With provisions for requesting your favorite artist's songs the program was beautifully personalized.

ETV particularly encourages young potentials to come up by submitting their CV's to get into the “Mukto Khobor”. The Khobor presented by reporters of our age. Now how can one get into Mukto Khobor without having any experience of reporting or journalism? No worries, because ETV has its own way of shaping you up as a reporter. Last time every reporter of this children based news had to pass through screen tests, written tests and finally training. Among hundreds, thirty two of them survived and managed to show up in the TV screen as a good news reporter. So why wait then, drop your CV's and check out how competent you really are.

Besides “Mukto khobor” was “Bolte chai“ the talk show for teenagers. The program allowed the teenagers to pour out their heart in front of the camera. Thus helping them to sort out the teenage-problems and conflicts.

I guess that is enough for a flashback. After ETV the other new TV stations seems to copy ETV's lovely brainchild showing rare flash of originality. Now after four years ETV is coming back again with all they have by freeing them from the unseen political intervention.

Very soon they will present themselves with more new programs, keeping themselves always one step ahead from everyone like before. Again we will be seeing the bluish background of ETV, which resembles sky. And the sky is endless, it does not have a culture, custom, country or language. The sky is for everyone, we just like to see it in different ways. So stay tuned and wait for “The Pioneer” to rock your television set one more time.