From correspondents in India, 05:00 PM IST
Sun Network, Tamil Nadu's premier cable channel, struggled for the third day Wednesday to resume operations after Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's older son M.K. Azhagiri ordered its virtual boycott here.
'We are sure that before long RCV (Royal Cable Vision) will have no alternative but to show our stuff as Hathway does in Chennai despite getting government support,' a Sun TV source said.
Azhagiri thinks differently.
'Our enemy is Sun TV. Other channels will be dependant on us for existence,' Azhagiri was quoted as saying in the media.
Sun TV was blacked out in over 65 percent of households here and across southern Tamil Nadu following Monday's launch of Azhagiri-owned RCV.
The RCV is trying to end the stranglehold of Sumangali Cable Vision's cable television distribution in the state, cable operators said. The Maran family controls Sun TV and also the Sumangali Cable Vision.
Situated 400 km south of Chennai, this temple city is considered the bastion of Azhagiri's operations in Tamil Nadu's southern region.
Ownership of major satellite television channels is divided on political lines in Tamil Nadu. While the ruling DMK openly supports Kalaignar TV, Jaya, Makkal and Mega TV channels are promoted by the AIADMK, PMK and the Congress respectively.
Sun TV was openly supported by the DMK till the Karunanidhi-Maran family fallout last year. Sun owns at least 14 channels in all four southern states.
Most Recent Comments
I read the news. It is shoking. As like Mr Kutthu Karupan and MR Mukunthan says, politceans will not corect TV news as becase they gave wrong news delibrately so that enemy party is woonded maximem.Also I agred that Daiyanithi maran must file suit fight against DMK. Center must dismis that gouvmt.
make a CENTRAL LAW so that privatization will also cover confiscation of properties like mass TV channel companies of bigtime politicians/bansmis.The properties should be sold to groups known for a commitment to culture and good of society not goaded by mere profitability even by vulgarizing great traditions.
If politicians/ relatives control TV channels, the so called mass media can only be their respective mouthpieces that are thrust down the throats of the public. This will be against all democratic principles. Now it is Tamil Nadu, tomorrow it can be another, and soon, the whole of India will not even have a chance to know the truth and form an opinion on facts.Politicians employ musclemen,hence they cannot be allowed to run businesses, especially TV channels.
Ownership of major satellite television channels in Tamilnadu being divided among politicians (major parties AIADMK & DMK, and minor ones PMK, Cong.etc) bodes ill for public health of Tamils, and politics if it is to be done based on democratic principles and if the state's foundation is not to be shaken by untruth and distortions on repots of same events.Conflicting news barrages and politically intensified competition in serials with harmful and worthless content, are already taking toll of public health and peace in Tamilnadu families most of which cannot afford exclusive room for TV.
It is right time that the Marans takeup the Madurai Dinakaran Office attack case very seriously and put the culprits behind bars without waiting any signal from the DMK President, though Dayanidhi belongs to DMK. As an MP from Chennai Central Parliamentary constituency, he could even pursue the Central government to intervene at the Parliament level. This will only stop the atrocities of the Big Brother at the South Tamilnadu.
View all comments »