The chasm between Tamil Nadu chief minister Dr M Karunanidhi’s family and that of the Maran brothers, Kalanidhi and former union communications and IT minister, Dayanidhi, has widened further.
It is reported that the Rs38.6-crore revenue Raj Television Network Limited that owns Raj TV channels has decided to promote a new channel Kalaingar Channel with its branding and logo being the rising sun  the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) symbol. It is also rumoured that M K Stalin, son of Karunanidhi will be picking up a stake in Raj Television Network to cement the new-found relationship.
Interestingly, the I&B ministry in New Delhi has cleared the approvals, which had been pending with it for more than two years. Raj TV has got licenses for three new channels.
The new channel will be focused on entertainment, along with news bulletins. However, a clearer picture will emerge in the days to come. In April this year, the company’s board had approved launching 11 new channels including a Hindi channel. The company had also announced its plan to start a youth channel.
In addition, the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu is expected to launch a channel named Anna TV after the party’s founder and late chief minister C N Annadurai.
The Maran brothers fell out of favour with Karunanidhi and his family following an opinion poll published by Tamil daily Dinakaran (owned by Kalanidhi), that showed Karunanidhi’s younger son M K Stalin being preferred over eldest M K Azhagiri. Following this, the supporters of Azhagiri torched the Dinakaran office in Madurai, while Sun TV screamed for action against the attackers.
Launching one or two channels is not an issue, having good programmes and the last mile connectivity is. In both areas Sun TV has a major advantage. It will be now interesting to see how the DMK manages the last mile cable operations, currently a monopoly of Sun Cable Vison.
At the bourses Raj TV stock has been on the rise for the past few days. Today the stock closed at Rs262.75 after going to a high of Rs269. In morning trades it opened strong at at Rs255.70 from Friday’s closing of Rs248.45.
On the other hand the Sun TV Network share opened at Rs1,525 from Friday’s close of Rs1,521.50 and closed at Rs1474. Kalanidhi owns a 90-per cent stake in the company.
