Why has BTV suddenly decided to change its logo?

Bangladesh Television (BTV), the state-run broadcaster that has been struggling with annual losses of more than Tk 2 billion, has taken an initiative to change its logo. BTV entered the era of color broadcasting in 1980 during the government of then President Ziaur Rahman. That same year, the colorful BTV logo was redesigned by artist Mustafa Monowar. Over the past 46 years, the familiar logo has become deeply rooted in the hearts of many. Questions have therefore arisen over why the logo is now being considered for replacement.

Last Sunday night, BTV said on its verified Facebook page, “BTV is returning in a new look. You can become a proud partner in creating the logo of Bangladesh Television. Send your idea or logo design to this address: [email protected]. Submission deadline: September 10, 2026.” Following the announcement, discussions have started on social media. Some are also calling for improvements in the quality of BTV programs.

Agamir Somoy contacted BTV Director General Kazi Jesin about the matter. Kazi Jesin joined BTV as director general on August 7. He confirmed the authenticity of the advertisement regarding the logo change. However, he did not want to comment on the matter. Kazi Jesin advised speaking with officials responsible at the ministry. Agamir Somoy spoke with three officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. They declined to comment on the matter. Information and Broadcasting Minister Andalib Rahman Partha was also contacted by phone but did not answer.

After taking charge as director general, Kazi Jesin met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman last week. In a Facebook post on August 25, Kazi Jesin described his experience of meeting the prime minister and said that the prime minister wants to transform BTV into a more modern, unique and prestigious institution rather than simply restoring it to its previous position.

So, has the effort to give BTV a new look begun with changing its logo? Kazi Jesin said, “During the Awami League government, BTV was used as a propaganda machine for the ruling party. As a result, the institution lost viewers and faced a crisis of credibility. Even after the mass uprising, the desired changes did not begin at BTV. No previous government had thought about BTV with this level of importance. But the prime minister is seriously considering the issue and has taken an initiative to transform the institution. As part of this change, an initiative has also been taken to rebuild BTV in a new way.”

The color logo of Bangladesh Television was approved by President Ziaur Rahman. During his tenure the state run television station began color broadcasting for viewers for the first time. Picture: File photo

Why Change Ziaur Rahman’s Approved Logo Suddenly?

BTV began its journey on December 25, 1964, on the ground floor of the then DIT building in Dhaka. After the birth of Bangladesh, it continued as a government institution. In 1975, BTV was moved from the DIT building to its own premises in Rampura. In 1980, BTV entered a new era by bringing color broadcasting to viewers. Currently, the channel broadcasts in HD and reaches people through terrestrial, satellite and mobile app platforms.

Writer and television personality KM Harun told Agamir Somoy, “It must be remembered that the current logo bears the touch of artists Quamrul Hassan and Mustafa Monowar. Artist Imdad Hossain played a role in creating BTV’s logo in December 1971. Later, when BTV entered the color era in 1980, artist Mustafa Monowar redrew the previous logo in a new form.”

Raising the question of why the current BNP government wants to change the logo approved by the late President Ziaur Rahman, KM Harun said, “Bangladesh Television entered the color era on December 1, 1980. On that day, then President Ziaur Rahman inaugurated the color television and BTV’s color logo designed by Mustafa Monowar, which was a new form of the original 1971 logo. Why has it suddenly become so important to change the logo now?”

The television personality also offered several suggestions on what BTV should do now. He said, “What is needed now is to bring back diversity in BTV programs and create new content with talented people. The so-called audition system should be abolished and talented artists should be listed separately; BTV’s quarterly program planning should be restored and TV guides should be published accordingly; vacant posts across all BTV channels should be filled and corruption should be eliminated at every level. Regular training should be arranged and the artist honorarium structure should be updated.”

He also suggested keeping proper accounts of license fees imposed on television connections and television sets. He recommended that BTV should not depend on advertising like public service broadcasting organizations in other countries and should take initiatives to make BTV’s website more popular.

How Much Does BTV Earn and Spend?

As of May, in the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, Bangladesh Television had total revenue of Tk 80.535 million including taxes. Against this, its expenditure was Tk 2.541845 billion. Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan disclosed the information in response to a question from Naogaon 3 lawmaker Fazle Huda in the National Parliament on June 22. The answer was presented on the question-and-answer table at the beginning of the session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The former information minister said that of BTV’s total revenue during the fiscal year, Tk 50.709 million came in revenue from its advertising division. He also presented BTV’s income and expenditure figures for the previous five fiscal years.

According to the minister’s data, BTV’s revenue was Tk 340.599 million and expenditure was Tk 2.808136 billion in the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year.

In the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year, revenue was Tk 402.660 million and expenditure was Tk 2.854727 billion.

In the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, revenue stood at Tk 308.785 million while expenditure was Tk 3.706151 billion.

In the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year, revenue reached Tk 442.122 million and expenditure was Tk 2.985760 billion.

In the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, revenue was Tk 276.480 million while expenditure stood at Tk 3.079222 billion.