Raj TV set to launch 11 new channels

Chennai, May 4: Leading regional broadcaster, Raj Television Network Ltd, will be launching 11 more channels, including an exclusive one for youth, Raj TV Network Chief Operating Officer and Creative Head Raju Easwaran today said.

Addressing the press here, he said the youth channel will be launched by September this year followed by other channels.

From May 7, Raj TV will air new programmes to cater to the tastes of entire section of its audience. There was a potpourri of progammes to entertain the whole family starting with 'Kiddies Hour' at 1730 hrs featuring some of the favourite children's shows.

It will be soaps/serials galore to keep the viewers glued to television sets from 2001 hrs starting with the serial 'Mahanadi.' 'Meenakshi' at 2030 hrs penned by eminent writer Indira Soundirarajan tracks some of the twists and turns in the life of the protagonist.

'Aaru Maname Aaru' at 2100 hrs will have versatile actress Sita battling against all odds in life to end up a winner. 'Gauravam' at 2130 hrs is the epic battle between the leading ladies of the serial.

To a question, he said they had always been keen to adapt to the changing needs and demands of their audience and the new format was in line with their vision of providing wholesome entertainment to all segments of viewers.

They always focused on providing the right mix and balance of entertainment, news, spirituality, culture and education and has something for every age and taste.

Mr Easwaran said they would be launching a new 9,000 sq ft studio in the city at an intial investment of Rs 7.5 crore. It will have the latest technology and equipment such as digital play-out server and digital archiving systems for better preservation and retrieval of their valuable content. They also produced and developed content for other channels and exported movies and tele-serials to various countries like Malaysia, Singapore, UK and the UAE.

The company had the largest movie database in Tamil Nadu and also held rights for as many as 1,384 Tamil films from classics to recent blockbuster films.

To an another question, he said for 2006-07, the company posted revenue of Rs 386.42 million, an increase of 22.64 per cent as compared to Rs 315.08 million in the previous fiscal.

It also reported an operating profit of Rs 183.19 million for the 2006-07 as against Rs 84.09 million in the previous year.

UNI