Sun Network to start Mideast operations

The Sun TV Network is planning to start Middle East operations with a big bang this financial year from Dubai with its flagship channels, Tamil Sun TV and Malayalam Surya TV.

The network, one of the largest South Indian media conglomerates listed on Bombay Stock Exchange, will come mostly with free-to-air programmes and fill the gap left by its immediate rival Asianet in the region.

Media industry sources revealed to Emirates Business that the Sun Network will be entering the Middle East with 30 different satellites so that the group channels are available free-to-air for all dish antenna users.

Speaking to Emirates Business, Vijay Babu, Vice- President of Surya TV, said: "The network will enter the Middle East market with its flagship channels, Surya TV and Sun TV, in a major way. We are contemplating to be available on all major platforms in the UAE and the GCC countries."

The company – owned by Kalanidhi Maran, Indian Minister and grand nephew of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, is one of the most profitable media companies in South Asia and Asia Pacific region. Surya TV, which has been in operation for the past 10 years, is the number two Malayalam TV channel in terms of rating and viewership in India.

The group is now shifting all its studios from Chennai to Cochin in Kerala.

In the Middle East, the company will set up a major studio either in Dubai Media City or Dubai Studio City.

Babu said: "Discussions are on with the concerned authorities for permission.

"In Dubai, we will have a dedicated marketing team and journalists to cover the UAE and GCC countries.

"Our major strength is the strongest movie library and starting from Wednesday we are putting a movie at 8.30 pm UAE time.

"We are late to enter the GCC market, but now we will be coming with a big bang. Now that Asianet is gone as a free-to-air channel, we will announce our detailed plans and mode of operation soon," said Babu, who earlier headed Asianet in Dubai and an advertising company Max Media.

About 16 Indian channels are currently available in the Middle East and the competition has been getting intense. He added that the Indian news schedule will be fine-tuned for the viewers in the Middle East.

About 140 people, including a 50 strong news section, work for the Surya TV?in Kerala. The channel has also roped in some prominent visual media journalists who earlier worked for Asianet.

Sun TV is popular among the Tamil-speaking Indian expatriates in the UAE.

"The number of Tamil speakers in the region has been increasing. Currently there are 70,0000 Tamilians in the UAE and 1.5 million in the GCC."

Sun Network's profile

Sun Network claims that it is India's largest media conglomerate with 20 TV channels with the reach of more than 95 million households in India.

Sun Network's channels can be viewed in 27 countries including the United States, Canada, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

It also has 45 FM radio stations. It also publishes two daily newspapers – Dinakaran, number one morning Tamil daily with sales of more than 1.2 million copies a day, and Tamil Murasu, number one evening Tamil daily. Besides, the group has four magazines – Kungumum, Mutharam, Vannathirai and Kumguma Chimizh.

Its Sun Direct is one of the largest direct-to- home satellite TV service provider in India having more than 5.3 million subscribers.

Its film division, Sun Pictures, produces and releases at least eight movies every year.

Sun Network's TV?channels include Sun TV, Kiran TV, Sun Music, Sun News, Chutti TV, Aditya, Surya TV, KTV, Gemini TV, Teja TV, Gemini News, Gemini Music, Navvylu TV, Kushi TV, Udaya TV, Ushe TV, Udaya 2, Udaya Movies, Udaya Varthegalu and Chintu TV.

Sun Network channel's programming is a mixed bag. All the channels have a wholesome blend of films, film-based shows, serials, news capsules, game shows, talk shows and sports shows.

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