STV-US (Bengali: এসটিভি ইউএস) was a Bangladeshi-American Bengali-language television channel headquartered in Queens, New York City.[1][2] The chairman of the channel was Hannan Firoze, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University till 2007 when it was closed down.[3][4] Fatinaaz Feroz, present chairman of Stamford University, served as the President of STV-US from 2004 to 2007, when it was closed. Naem Nizam, later editor of Bangladesh Pratidin, was the managing director of the channel.[1][5]
History
STV-US was launched on 22 November 2005 to cover Bangladeshi news in New York City by Hannan Firoze, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University.[3] Naem Nizam was the founding managing director.[6] It initially did not charge an airing fee.[3] STV and TBC[7] were Bengali language channels based in New York City while Bangla TV was based in London.[3] STV, RTV, and Channel 1 started broadcasting around the same time as part of a wave of new channels opening.[8] It was the first 24-hour Bengali language television channel in the United States.[9]
In 2006, STV-US was the official partner of 1st National Debate Championship 2006 organized by Stamford University.[10] It launched a talk show, Positive Bangladesh, hosted by Bibi Russell.[11]
Closure
In March 2007, the caretaker government of Bangladesh urged STV-US to cease operations as it was accused of broadcasting illegally without permission or a no-objection certificate.[12] Salim Hossain was the news anchor of the STV till 2007 when it closed and he would later join ATN Bangla USA and Voice of America Bengali.[9] Another reporter of STV, Akbar Haider Kiran, became a correspondent of Voice of America and was also stationed in New York City.[13] Naem Nizam would join Bangladesh Pratidin, largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh, as editor.[14][15]
Programing
STV-US focused on news and educational programs.[3]
