SVBC to launch three regional channels

Vijayawada, Nov 10: The Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC), a devotional television channel will also launch its Hindi, Kannada and Tamil services, following a demand from various sections.

According to SVBC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K S Sarma, the channel, run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is also contemplating to launch three 24-hour channels in the next nine months.

He said there were suggestions to launch channels in other regional languages, as the existing channel was being aired only in Telugu. ''Most probably, the Tamil Channel would go on air first, keeping in view the fact that Tamil devotees were in maximum number in the country'', he said.

The CEO also said with 'Sunanda Nadavinodini', a musical programme hosted by playback singer S P Balasubramaniam was becoming popular on the SVBC, the channel would soon telecast 'Annamayya Sankeertana Archana', another muscial show to be hosted by celebrated carnatic vocalist M Balamuraikrishna.

Mr Sarma said in view of the ban on shooting or telecasting in 'Ananda Nilayam', the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Venkateswara temple, the SVBC has constructed a replica of it to facilitate viewers and devotees to have a feel of the 'poojas' and rituals performed there, from January 14 next.

UNI