Maa TV to launch three Telugu channels

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based Maa TV Network is planning to launch three Telugu language channels over the next one year. This would include a devotional, a music and movies and a news channel.

The company, which owns and operates Telugu general entertainment channel Maa TV, has applied to the ministry for uplinking license for these three channels.

"We will be launching these three channels within a year's time. We have applied for uplinking license," Maa TV Network CEO Sharradh Marar tells Indiantelevision.com.

The devotional channel is likely to be called Maa Bhakti and will come up first. "We already have 600 hours of devotional programming. Our two devotional shows on the general entertainment channel are very popular," says Marar.

The plan is to tie up with temple establishments across Andhra Pradesh and also to come up with interactive shows. Maa TV already airs live programming from Tirupati temple on special occasions.

Maa Music will be launched next, followed by Maa News. "We run five news bulletins every day on Maa TV. The incremental staff requirement for the news channel will not be huge," says Marar.

Late last year, the company restructured its shareholding with Chiranjeev, Nagarjuna and Matrix Laboratories Ltd (a listed company) promoter N Prasad acquiring 60 per cent stake for Rs 400 million. The three of them hold 20 per cent stake each in the company.

Courtesy: IndianTelevision.com