Despite the shift to digital, print still carries authority in Bangladesh — especially for tenders, notices, corporate and government messaging. Newspaper advertising is priced per column-inch, and this guide shows how it works.
Key takeaways
- Display ads are priced per column-inch = rate × columns × height.
- Prothom Alo colour inner page ≈ 9,500৳/column-inch; B/W ≈ 6,500৳.
- Front/back pages carry big premiums and minimum sizes.
- 15% VAT applies.
Indicative Prothom Alo rates
| Placement | Colour (per column-inch) |
|---|---|
| Inner page | ~9,500৳ |
| Third page | ~23,000৳ |
| Front page | ~30,000৳ (min. size applies) |
| Back page | ~25,000৳ |
Rates vary by publication and change over time — always confirm the current rate card. The Daily Star and Bangla dailies each publish their own tariffs.
How to calculate your cost
Cost = per-column-inch rate × number of columns × height (inches) × (1 + VAT)
A 3-column × 5-inch colour inner-page ad at 9,500৳ = 9,500 × 3 × 5 = 142,500৳, plus 15% VAT.
Is print worth it?
Print delivers credibility and reaches audiences that skew older or institutional, but it’s hard to measure and costly for frequency. For trackable response on a budget, compare with Facebook and Google Ads. See the newspaper channel guide for when print makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
How are newspaper ad rates calculated in Bangladesh?
Display ads are priced per column-inch: rate × number of columns × height in inches. A colour inner-page inch in a leading daily like Prothom Alo is around 9,500৳, with 15% VAT added.
Why is the front page so expensive?
Front, back and early pages have the highest visibility and limited space, so they carry large premiums and minimum-size requirements.