ATN Bangla is planning to set up shop in Dubai Media City to begin production and promotional activities in the UAE, a top company official said in Dubai.

Saiful Bari, Chief Advisor of the digital channel, said he was planning to hold talks with E-Vision to increase its penetration among Bengali-speaking viewers in the UAE.

"Thousands of Bangladeshis watch our channel in many restaurants and houses every day, though it has not yet been part of any pay-packages.

"If brought under popular cable networks, it could boost the viewership of these networks," said Bari, a former press secretary to the Bangladeshi president who played a pioneering role in spearheading the growth of digital media in Bangladesh.

"During my stay in the UAE, I have interviewed a good number of Bangladeshi expatriates who are eager to watch the channel regularly. Hundreds of Bangla-deshi restaurants now show our channel and thousands watch them regularly.

"We are planning to hold talks with E-Vision, and if they agree, it could be broadcast to the viewers free of cost," said Bari.

Bari has shot some documentaries on various walks of life among Bangladeshis in the UAE which will be aired on ATN Bangla in the coming days.

To facilitate the coverage of Bangladeshis in the UAE, Bari said his company is willing to invest in setting up a company in the Dubai Media City.

"I have visited the Media City. This is a wonderful facility and we might set up an office here to give coverage our large community," he said.

ATN Bangla is one of three private TV channels that have almost outshone the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV).

Among the three, Ekushey TV became an instant success, because of its extensive coverage of news and views, followed by ATN Bangla and Channel I. Ekushey TV was banned last year after losing a court battle, which helped the remaining two consolidate their viewership.

Bangladesh has roughly five million TV sets, viewed by 40 million people, out of a population of 127 million. Approximately 300,000 Bangladeshis are currently living in the UAE. Most of them access the channels through private dishes.