Viveat Susan Pinto
Media

Sun plans second GEC in Andhra Pradesh

Aditya TV will be the fourth channel after Gemini TV, Teja TV and Teja News

This is one broadcaster, which simply refuses to rest on its laurels. After launching 12 channels in four languages, Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun group is looking to launch a second general entertainment channel in Andhra Pradesh called Aditya TV in February. The likely date of launch is February 3/4, say industry sources.

Sun is also toying with the idea of launching a Telugu cable channel called Gemini Cable Vision and a Bengali channel, though no confirmation is available on this.

Action in the four southern states has been heating up of late, with Tamil general entertainment channel Raj TV looking at a makeover and Sun launching Kiran TV, a music and movies channel in neighbouring Kerala.

Aditya TV will look to “accumulate the spillover from Gemini”, which is Sun’s flagship GEC brand in Andhra Pradesh. Apart from Gemini, the group has Telugu movie channel Teja TV and Teja News – the 24-hour news channel launched last year.

Like in Tamil Nadu, movies and serials are the key drivers in Andhra Pradesh. But unlike what happens in deep South, there is a decent viewership for Hindi serials in Andhra Pradesh in areas dominated by the Muslim community, especially around the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

In the Telugu space, Gemini is the clear leader, followed by ETV and lastly MAA TV and Teja TV, which run neck and neck.

© 2005 agencyfaqs!

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