Zee Bangla is an Indian general entertainmentpay television channel broadcasting in the Bengali language. It is owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises.[1][2][3] It is the first Bengali-language satellite television channel in India, officially beginning broadcasts on 15 September 1999.[4] The channel was first launched as Alpha Bangla which got renamed to Zee Bangla on 28 March 2005. The channel launched its HD version on 20 November 2016.
The channel was first launched in 1996, but halted transmissions within two months due to its poor ratings. It was relaunched on 15 September 1999 as Alpha TV Bangla, along with Alpha TV Marathi, Alpha TV Telugu and Alpha TV Punjabi.[5] It was the first Bengali-language satellite television channel in India.[6] In 2005, Zee TV went for a major brand revamp. It unveiled a new logo on 28 March 2005 at the Zee Cine Awards and thereafter Alpha Bangla was renamed to Zee Bangla with a modified version of the new Zee TV logo which is also used by other regional of Zee Network.
On 19 June 2011, all Zee channels rebranded with a new logo which was like number two instead of alphabet Z.[7][8][9]
On 1 January 2017, the top right corner of all Zee channels was closed which continued unless all the Zee channels rebranded with a new logo on 15 October 2017 to celebrate the 25th anniversary.
On 15 October 2017, all the Zee channels had changed their logos where the logo has started showing on the left side. In 2019, Samrat Ghosh became the head of the channel.[10] The channel's new graphics was revealed during Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on 7 October 2018.[11][12][13] It is one of the largest Bengali-language television channels in India by viewership.[14]
On 30 September 2021, Bangladesh imposed a blackout on foreign television channels, including Zee Bangla, that broadcast commercials.[15] However, after 2 weeks, via clean feed, Zee Bangla resumed broadcasting in that country.[16]
Zee Bangla is hosting its Mahalaya since 2007 from 5 a.m. Various television and films actresses are seen in different forms of Maa Durga. Even various television actors are seen as Shiv, Vishnu, Mahisasur. It also shows dance performance where dancers will dance in a song welcoming the arrival of Goddess.