Banushen Television (BTV) is an El Kadsreian commercial free-to-air general entertainment, information, and family television channel.
History
Banushen Television got its roots in 1979, when former Viva, Inc. CEO, Paul Friswell and former El TV Kadsre CEO Tara Matsushita of the Matsushita family formed Banushen Media Corporation after the Vlokozuian government acquired El TV Kadsre Television Network, which was at bankruptcy at the time in 1979. It acquired broadcaster North Tower Broadcasting, which consists of many circuits, and film distributor/producer Seiko Films. In early 1981, it was announced that North Tower Broadcasting will convert from a TV station circuit to a TV network and it will be renamed to Banushen Television. Several North Tower stations were handed over to Banushen on October 29, 1981.
Banushen Television opened transmission on October 30, 1981, at 8:30 am with an authority announcement by Jules Durham followed by the introduction continuity with Paul Friswell and an extended 10-minute promo entitled This is Banushen Television.
During its first year, Banushen usually aired news and documentaries.
BTV has been airing anime, cartoons, and pre-school shows since November 1981 starting with Looney Tunes.
In 1989, after Vlokozu Television went off the air, Banushen Television won the rights to air the US CBS comedy Murphy Brown, and it successfully became the El Kadsreian leaders in comedy television. The success lead up to Banushen having broadcasting rights of Wings, Frasier, Friends, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, That '70s Show and Malcolm in the Middle. It also acquired the rights to air Hockey Night in Canada, which Banushen being able to air under its original name.
On January 1, 1990, Banushen Television was changed to a shorter name named BTV.
In 1995, Banushen won the right for El Kadsre for the broadcasting rights of Caroline in the City, while cable rights went to Star TV.
In 1996, Banushen Television signed a partnership deal with El TV Kadsre Television Network right after the El TV Kexit, which caused Banushen to strip its 15-year partnership deal with Viva, Inc. and El TV Kadsre to strip its partnership deal with Regal Group Network. Despite the end of the partnership deal between El TV Kadsre and RGN, two networks continue to work with RGN at times.
On August 9, 2004, BTV was officially launched on digital television after it test trials for 5 years, which changed its aspect ratio to 16:9 widescreen format, also the HD transmission was launched, making the first El Kadsreian free-to-air TV channel to have a widescreen format. The channel was letterboxed for analog televisions
Broadcasting hours
- 1981-1987: 7:00am to 12:00am
- 1987-1993: 7:00am to 1:00am
- 1993-1996: 6:00am to 1:00am
- 1996-present: 24 hours
Current programs
News and information
- BTV News (1981-present)
- BTV News Inside (1998-present)
- Right to Reply (1981-present)
- Banushen Affair (1996-present)
Sports
- Rugby Night in El Kadsre (1981-present)
Local programs
Soap operas
- The Beauty and the Beasts (1983-present)
- The Misty’s Life (2018-present)
Entertainment
Comedy
- Wesley Gram Show (2009-present)
Foreign programs
Soap operas
- Eastenders (UK) (1985-present)
- Neighbours (AU) (1986-present)
Anime and Animated
For more info, see List of animated programming aired by Banushen Television.
- The Simpsons (USA) (2003-2016; 2020-present) (also aired on ETVKK and El TV Kadsre 3)
Entertainment
- Svengoolie (US) (1995-present)
Comedy
Sports
- Hockey Night in Canada (CAN) (1989-present)
- The Crowd Goes Wild (NZ) (2007-present)
Children's (as part of Studio B Sundays)
Specials
- Eurovision Song Contest (1995-present) (Also aired on El TV Kadsre 1)
Others
- Count Down TV (JAP) (1993-present)
Former programs
Local programs
Comedy
- Great Job! The Amazing Bill and Derek Show (1995-2008, 2015)
- 4ward (2007-2008)
Foreign programs
Comedy
- Caroline in the City (USA) (1996-1999)
- Kirk (USA) (1996-1997)
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (USA) (1997-2003)
- Murphy Brown (USA) (1989-1999, 2018-2019)
- Father Ted (UK/IRE) (1995-1998)
- Will & Grace (USA) (1998-2006, 2017-2020)
Music
- CD:UK (1999-2006)
Slogans
- The Central Station (1981-1990)
- Always Banushen. (1996-2005)
- Banushen Television, First in HD. (2003-2007)
- It's your Banushen. (2005-present)