Tamil TV wars: DMK backs channel to rival Maran's

A Tamil television channel war appears to be in the offing in Tamil Nadu with a TV network today announcing plans to launch a new channel with the DMK's backing. This comes days after the ruling party's row with the Maran family, which owns Sun TV.

Raj TV, which is Sun TV's rival, has named the new channel "Kalaignar TV," as DMK patriarch and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is popularly called. The logo of the channel is expected to be the DMK symbol, "rising sun."

Asked whether the channel would adopt a pro-DMK stand, Raj TV Managing Director M Rajendran said, "We'll function in the manner the Sun TV functioned before." He said the management had got the approval of Karunanidhi to name the channel after him.

The channel would provide wholesome entertainment along with regular news bulletins.

Sun TV recently felt the heat of the fallout of the rift between Karunanidhi's family and Kalanidhi Maran and his brother, former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran, which led to the latter's resignation from the Cabinet. It was denied rights at the last minute to telecast a rally organised to mark Karunanidhi's golden jubilee year in the state legislature.