On 18 January Florida Bangla TV officially started its transmission after a gala ceremony held at a convention hall at the Pompano Beach area in Fort Lauderdale.

Sadia Faizeunnesa, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Head of the Voice of America Bangla Department Roquia Haider presided over the programme as the special guest and switched a button to officially inaugurate the transmission of the channel. Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro artiste Shahid Hasan, Mohammad Asphakul Numan, First Secretary of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, Noorelahi Mina, First Secretary (Press) of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, prominent writer Dr. Sezan Mahmud and National Award winning music composer Emon Shaha were among others present to the launching ceremony. Owner and CEO of Florida Bangla Channel Titon Malick welcomed the guests and in his speech said, ‘Florida Bangla TV is not only the first ever Bangladeshi channel in Florida, it is also the first ever diaspora based channel as well. We would like to spread Bangladeshi culture all over the world. Our community is getting bigger everyday and we have a responsibility to create a platform for them. This channel will focus mainly for the diaspora based audiences, but gradually we have a plan to make it a household name for the Bangladeshi people living all over the world.’

Renowned broadcast journalist and writer Shamim Al Amin joins the channel as the editor in chief. He emceed the programme as well. In his speech Shamim says, ‘It takes a lot of guts to come up with the idea of establishing a tv channel in Florida as it has to compete with already established and successful Bangladeshi Tv channels in New York. We have a long way to go but I believe we have the potential to make it big if we work hard with dedication and perseverance.’

Roquia Haider in her speech says, ‘I am always happy to encourage any noble ideas or initiatives by the Bangladeshi community living in the USA. I hope this channel will broadcast authentic and unbiased news and cater to all the viewers with different political beliefs.’

The event was wrapped up following a cultural show performed by the local artistes.