Kalaignar TV Channel launch adds to electronic media growth

Chennai, Sep 15 (UNI) Yet another private Tamil satellite Channel ''Kalaignar TV'' today formally came into being adding to the mushrooming growth of the electronic media in the state.

Unlike the launch of some of the channels earlier, it was a soft launch, devoid of any fanfare for Kalaignar TV, named after DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Though the channel had started the trial run about a month back, officially it started beaming programmes from today as announced by Mr Karunanidhi.

The first day's programme started with Carnatic music concert by renowned vocalist Sudha Raghunathan and the channel also telecast its first newscast at 1300 hrs.

The idea was the brain child of Mr Karunanidhi after he broke off with the Maran families four months back, who were enjoying monopoly over media in the state, in the aftermath of violence in Madurai following publishing of an opinion poll by Tamil daily ''Dinakaran'' on possible heir apparent to Mr Karunanidhi.

Mr Karunanidhi also formed a government cable network ''Arasu Cable TV Corporation'', in the hope of breaking the monopoly of Sun TV's ''Sumangali Cable Vision'' owned by Marans.

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