List of All FM Radio in Bangladesh | All Bangladeshi Online FM Radio Live

The history of radio in Bangladesh is intertwined with the region's political and cultural transformations. Radio broadcasting in what is now Bangladesh began during the British colonial era, marking the start of a medium that would later become a tool for information, entertainment, and even resistance.

Early Beginnings Under British Rule (1930s-1940s)

Radio transmission in the Bengal region commenced on December 16, 1939, with the establishment of the Dhaka station of All India Radio (AIR). This was part of a broader initiative by the British government to expand broadcasting during World War II. The station, initially known as "Dhaka Dhawani Bistar Kendra" (Dhaka Audio Broadcasting Station), operated from a rented house in Nazimuddin Road (now the site of Sheikh Borhanuddin College) in Old Dhaka. It featured a 5 kW medium-wave transmitter installed at Kallayanpur, with a broadcast range of 20-25 miles at night and 30-45 miles during the day.

The inaugural broadcast included performances by notable artists like Leila Arjumand Banu, setting the tone for radio as a cultural hub. At the time, it was one of six new stations set up across British India to disseminate war news and propaganda. The Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC), a private entity, had laid the groundwork earlier in the 1920s with stations in Mumbai and Kolkata, but government control soon took over, renaming it All India Radio in 1936.

This period saw radio as a means of colonial control, but it also fostered local talent. Programs included news, music, and educational content, broadcast in Bengali and English. By the 1940s, with the outbreak of World War II, radio became crucial for morale-boosting and information dissemination.

Post-Partition Era: Radio Pakistan (1947-1971)

Following the partition of India in 1947, the Dhaka station became part of Radio Pakistan, reflecting the new political reality of East Pakistan. The station continued operations, but with a shift toward promoting Pakistani unity. In 1954, broadcasting expanded with the establishment of a station in Rajshahi using a 1 kW medium-wave transmitter. Chittagong followed suit that year.

Significant infrastructure developments occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1959, a 10 kW short-wave transmitter was added at Kallayanpur to enhance Dhaka's reach. On February 8, 1960, a modern broadcasting house with six studios was inaugurated in Shahbagh, Dhaka, which remains the headquarters of Bangladesh Betar today. This facility boosted production quality and allowed for more diverse programming.

Expansion continued: Sylhet station launched in 1961 with a 2 kW transmitter, followed by high-power 100 kW medium-wave and short-wave transmitters in Savar for Dhaka in 1963. Rangpur and Sylhet received 10 kW upgrades in 1967, and Khulna got its own in 1970. During this time, radio served as a key medium for education, agriculture tips, and cultural programs, but it was often criticized for bias toward West Pakistan.

The Liberation War and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (1971)

One of the most dramatic chapters in Bangladesh's radio history unfolded during the 1971 Liberation War. As Pakistani forces cracked down on March 25, 1971, the Dhaka station was seized, prompting Bengali nationalists to establish Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (Free Bengal Radio Centre). Initially broadcasting from Kalurghat in Chittagong on March 26, it aired Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's declaration of independence and patriotic songs to rally the Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters).

The station, led by figures like Dr. Syed Anwar Ali, Engineer Ashikul Islam, and Engineer Dilip Chandra Das, used a 10 kW transmitter. It moved to Bagapha in Tripura, India, and later Agartala due to attacks. Broadcasting war news, motivational talks, and songs by artists like Abdul Jabbar and Apel Mahmud, it became a "propaganda machine" for the independence movement. Iconic anthems like "Shono Ekti Mujiburer Theke" inspired millions. On December 6, 1971, after India's recognition of Bangladesh, it was renamed Bangladesh Betar.

This wartime role highlighted radio's power as a tool for resistance and unity, cementing its place in national identity.

Post-Independence: Bangladesh Betar and Private FM Era (1972-Present)

After independence, the station officially became Bangladesh Betar, focusing on nation-building. The 1970s and 1980s saw further expansion, with new centers in areas like Cox's Bazar and Thakurgaon. By the 1990s, FM broadcasting emerged, offering clearer sound and targeting urban audiences.

The liberalization of media in the early 2000s led to the rise of private FM stations. The first private FM license was granted in 2006 to Radio Foorti (88.0 MHz), sparking a boom. By 2019, 28 private FM stations were licensed, though some faced closures due to regulatory issues. Community radio was introduced in 2010 with 14 stations, growing to over 19 by 2024, focusing on local issues like agriculture and disaster management.

Today, Bangladesh Betar operates 14 centers with multiple channels, broadcasting in Bengali, English, and regional dialects. The sector has digitized, with apps and online streaming, but challenges like competition from social media persist. Radio's history reflects Bangladesh's journey from colonial subjugation to digital innovation, with over 80 years of service to the nation.

All Radio Stations in Bangladesh

Bangladesh boasts a diverse array of radio stations, including state-owned, private FM, community, and online-only broadcasters. The list of all radio stations in Bangladesh includes over 50 active ones, categorized below. We've included website addresses where available, based on reliable sources like official sites and directories. For state-owned stations, visit the central Bangladesh Betar portal.

State-Owned Radio Stations (Bangladesh Betar)

Bangladesh Betar, the national broadcaster, operates AM, FM, and short-wave services across the country. Headquarters: Agargaon, Dhaka. Website: www.betar.gov.bd.

• Bangladesh Betar AM 693: Frequency - 693 kHz AM, Location - Dhaka.

• Bangladesh Betar Barishal AM 1287: Frequency - 1287 kHz AM, Location - Barishal.

• Bangladesh Betar Chittagong: Various AM/FM, Location - Chittagong.

• Bangladesh Betar Khulna: Frequency - 558 kHz AM, Location - Khulna.

• Bangladesh Betar Rajshahi: Frequency - 846 kHz AM, Location - Rajshahi.

• Bangladesh Betar Rangpur: Frequency - 1053 kHz AM, Location - Rangpur.

• Bangladesh Betar Sylhet: Frequency - 963 kHz AM, Location - Sylhet.

• Bangladesh Betar Thakurgaon: Frequency - 999 kHz AM, Location - Thakurgaon.

• Uttorbango Betar: Online/streaming, Location - Northern regions.

FM variants:

Bangladesh Betar Traffic Broadcasting: 88.8 MHz FM, Dhaka.

• FM 91.60: 91.60 MHz.

• FM 92.0: 92.0 MHz, Thakurgaon.

• FM 97.6: 97.6 MHz.

• FM 100.0: 100.0 MHz, Dhaka.

• FM 100.8: 100.8 MHz, Cox's Bazar.

• FM 101.2: 101.2 MHz.

• FM 102.0: 102.0 MHz.

• FM 103.2: 103.2 MHz.

• FM 103.6: 103.6 MHz.

• FM 104.0: 104.0 MHz, Chapainawabganj.

• FM 105.2: 105.2 MHz, Barishal.

• FM 105.6: 105.6 MHz.

• FM 106.0: 106.0 MHz.

Private FM Radio Stations

Private stations dominate urban entertainment. Here's a comprehensive list of FM radio stations in Bangladesh.

• Radio Foorti: 88.0 MHz, Active.

• Radio Today: 89.6 MHz, Active.

• Dhaka FM: 90.4 MHz, Active.

• Peoples Radio: 91.6 MHz, Active.

• Radio Shadhin: 92.4 MHz, Active.

• Radio Bhumi: 92.8 MHz, Active.

• Radio Din Raat: 93.6 MHz, Active.

• Jago FM: 94.4 MHz, Active.

• Radio Capital FM: 94.8 MHz, Active.

• Spice FM: 96.4 MHz, Active.

• Radio Ekattor: 98.4 MHz, Active.

• Colours FM: 101.6 MHz (status varying).

• Radio Amber: 102.4 MHz, Active.

• Sufi FM: 102.8 MHz, Active.

• ABC Radio: 89.2 MHz (temporarily inactive).

• Radio Aamar: 88.4 MHz (inactive).

• Asian Radio: 90.8 MHz (inactive).

• Radio Dhoni: 91.2 MHz (inactive).

• Radio Next: 93.2 MHz (inactive).

• Radio Dhol: 94.0 MHz (inactive).

• Radio Edge: 95.6 MHz (inactive).

• City FM: 96.0 MHz (inactive).

• Radio Prime: 96.8 MHz.

• Times Radio: 97.2 MHz.

• Desh Radio: 98.0 MHz.

• Radio City: 99.6 MHz.

• Radio Active: 100.4 MHz.

Community Radio Stations

These focus on local development. No central websites; many stream via apps.

• Radio Meghna: 99.0 MHz, Bhola District.

• Nilphamari FM: 89.2 MHz, Rangpur District.

• Radio Bikrampur: 99.2 MHz, Munshiganj.

• Radio Chilmari: 99.2 MHz, Kurigram.

• Radio Jhinuk: 99.2 MHz, Jhinaidah.

• Radio Mukti: 99.2 MHz, Bogra.

• Borendro Radio: 99.2 MHz, Naogaon.

• Radio Naf: 99.2 MHz, Cox's Bazar.

• Radio Saikat: 99.0 MHz, Cox's Bazar.

• Radio Nalta: 99.2 MHz, Satkhira.

• Lokobetar: 99.2 MHz, Barguna.

• Radio Padma: 99.2 MHz, Rajshahi.

• Radio Pollikontho: 99.2 MHz, Moulvibazar.

• Radio Mahananda: 98.8 MHz, Chapainawabganj.

• Krishi Radio: 98.8 MHz, Barguna.

• Radio Sagor Dwip: 99.2 MHz, Noakhali.

• Sagor Giri: 99.2 MHz, Chittagong.

• Radio Sarabela: 98.8 MHz, Gaibandha.

• Radio Boral: 99.0 MHz, Rajshahi.

• Radio Sundarban: 98.8 MHz, Khulna.

Online and Other Stations

Radio GoonGoon: Online.

BBC Bangla: Streaming.

Bangla Wadio: Online.

iWiFM: Online.

This list encompasses nearly all active stations, making it a go-to resource for "all radio stations in Bangladesh."

All FM Radio Stations in Bangladesh: A Focused Overview

Focusing on all FM radio stations in Bangladesh, FM broadcasting has revolutionized urban listening since the 2000s. FM offers superior sound quality and targets youth with music, talk shows, and news. State-owned FM under Bangladesh Betar includes traffic and regional services, while private ones dominate entertainment.

Key FM stations (expanded from above):

State: Traffic FM 88.8 (Dhaka), FM 100.0 (Dhaka), FM 100.8 (Cox's Bazar), etc.

Private: Radio Foorti (88.0), Radio Today (89.6), Dhaka FM (90.4), Jago FM (94.4), Spice FM (96.4), Radio Bhumi (92.8).

Community: Mostly 98.8-99.2 MHz, like Radio Padma and Radio Mahananda.

FM's popularity peaked in 2006-2010 with RJ-hosted shows, but digital shifts have challenged it. Still, FM reaches 60% of urban households.

The Future of Bangladeshi FM Radio

The future of Bangladeshi FM radio is at a crossroads amid digital disruption. Once a staple for entertainment, FM faces competition from Spotify, YouTube, and podcasts. Revenue projections for traditional radio stand at US$17.98 million in 2025, with modest annual growth.

Current Challenges

Declining listenership in urban areas is evident, with social media overshadowing FM. Stations like ABC Radio have paused operations. Government control over Bangladesh Betar limits innovation, and private stations struggle with ads amid economic shifts.

Opportunities for Revival

Experts advocate hybridization: Integrating FM with apps for live streaming. Community radio, growing to 21 stations, excels in local content like disaster alerts. Digital transition by 2021 (as planned) includes DAB+ for better coverage.

Reforms post-2024 could liberalize policies, allowing more autonomy. Blending traditional broadcasts with digital could revive FM, especially in rural areas. With creativity, FM can remain relevant, fostering community and culture.

Radio's Enduring Legacy in Bangladesh

From its 1939 origins to today's digital blends, Bangladesh radio stations continue to inform and unite. Whether tuning into FM hits or community broadcasts, the medium's future lies in adaptation. For more on "Bangladesh FM radio stations" or history, explore the listed websites.