Winter has set in. The chill is spreading. The media scene however is set to get hot. At least three news channels and two Telugu and two English dailies are in various stages of launch. First to be in the air would be MAA TV’s 24x7 news channel. Maa, which popularized itself by airing steamy Malayali films, has roped in the suave and influential K S Sarma, ex-CEO of Prasar Bharati, to head its new channel. Insiders say Sarma got a annual pay pack of Rs. 18 lakh. That’s big bucks. So the channel is serious. But with heavyweights owning MAA — the management is split between Muralikrishnam Raju, the original promoter, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi and Matrix-fame Nimmagadda Prasad — Sarma would find it tough, too many pulls and pressures. After Ravi Prakash successfully hammered down standards in Telugu TV journalism and Etv2 vitiated the scene with the political bias what kind of “news” can we expect from a channel that’s owned by matinee idols? It would be interesting to take a guess.. we can actually run a contest... Let’s hope the movie wallahs actually set the standards… just a hope..!
Another channel- let’s call it NTV- is from Narendranath Choudhury- popularly known as Jubilee Hills Choudhury. We hear this guy has got deep pockets and is in for the long haul. Choudhury is ready to invest Rs 50 crore over a five-year period! (Our jobs are secured guys!!) News is I. Satyanarayana, former editor of Vissa News and Raghu of Regional News Analysis (RNA) are in the race to head the channel. Let’s see who wins Choudhury’s favour. Also doing the rounds is the name of S R Ramanujan, former editor of Newstime and Director of ETV News. Given his soft nature and serious approach, he might lose out.
Well, the third channel is yet to be finalized but being actually considered…by a group of NRIs. Probably, the much-abused lot thought they need to have their voice heard in their motherland, what with the bad name they got in real estate scams. The NRIs reportedly hired gentleman-editor of the media Kondubhatla Ramachandra Murthy.
Two Telugu dailies are being considered again by NRIs and in all probability one of them will have investments from state Congress leaders who see a pressing need to counter the onslaught of Ramoji.
Starting from mid-2007, it’s going to be one long election season in the country. Starting with Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, we have elections right up to 2009 Assembly and Parliament polls.
So, DNA and Hindustan Times think it’s the right time to foray into new markets. DNA’s Adhikari reiterated his commitment to Hyderabad during his recent visit.
So, get busy with remaking your resumes and good luck!
Another channel- let’s call it NTV- is from Narendranath Choudhury- popularly known as Jubilee Hills Choudhury. We hear this guy has got deep pockets and is in for the long haul. Choudhury is ready to invest Rs 50 crore over a five-year period! (Our jobs are secured guys!!) News is I. Satyanarayana, former editor of Vissa News and Raghu of Regional News Analysis (RNA) are in the race to head the channel. Let’s see who wins Choudhury’s favour. Also doing the rounds is the name of S R Ramanujan, former editor of Newstime and Director of ETV News. Given his soft nature and serious approach, he might lose out.
Well, the third channel is yet to be finalized but being actually considered…by a group of NRIs. Probably, the much-abused lot thought they need to have their voice heard in their motherland, what with the bad name they got in real estate scams. The NRIs reportedly hired gentleman-editor of the media Kondubhatla Ramachandra Murthy.
Two Telugu dailies are being considered again by NRIs and in all probability one of them will have investments from state Congress leaders who see a pressing need to counter the onslaught of Ramoji.
Starting from mid-2007, it’s going to be one long election season in the country. Starting with Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, we have elections right up to 2009 Assembly and Parliament polls.
So, DNA and Hindustan Times think it’s the right time to foray into new markets. DNA’s Adhikari reiterated his commitment to Hyderabad during his recent visit.
So, get busy with remaking your resumes and good luck!
3 comments:
I was surprised when I came to know through this column that I satyanaraya is tipped to become editor of a new channel. Having worked with, I know his competence levels, which to say the least, is abysmal. Do not take this to be a a hate mail, but frankly speaking, his lack of news sense was a nuisance for all his colleagues. He had very efficiently and effectively put news on Vissa Channel out of news. Anyway, I would like to convey my sympathies for the promoter of the channel.
Another TV channel is planning to comeout during the first quarter of 2007. Some NRIs with T-factor as an agenda are making the efforts. The senior man of Maatv news had a meeting with them to chalk out the programme
About fifteen senior desk hands from ETV is joining Narendra Chowdhary Channel. Selections has been finalised courtesy SR and ISN
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