Malayalam news TV space makes way for TV NOW!

Malayalam news television space is set to open doors to another member in the family. TV NOW, a brand new channel, a brain child of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in collaboration with India Middle East Broadcasting Network hits Kerala markets 14th July 2014 onwards.

KCCI and India Middle East Broadcasting Network - a group of eminent broadcast journalists from South India have come together to realize their pet project, TV NOW— a one-of-its-kind satellite television channel in Malayalam for news and current affairs mainly focusing on business, knowledge and economical development of state.

Channel custodians claim that this would be the first time in the Malayalam television industry; a channel will dare to straight talk to the masses in a candid and engaging style. KCCI and India Middle East Broadcasting Network have converged with the aim to support the business community, investors and the public sector in its totality, by establishing TV NOW. Sources state that considering the big Malayali diaspora in the Middle East, the channel is also in talks with e-Vision for launching the channel there.

TV NOW is helmed by Bhagath Chandrasekha, one of Kerala’s pioneering investigative television journalists, who is popular among his audience for his unique style of presentation, combined with his skill to translate complicated facts into simple analysis. Bhagath’s popularity among the Malayalee masses is evident from the high TAM ratings his shows have garnered in the past; another reason why he is admired by show sponsors and advertising agencies in Kerala. Sources mention that they have set a team of 300 people out of which 170-190 people comprise the editorial department, headed by A Rahagopal who will be the Chief Editor at the channel. The channel is also said to have bureaus in Thiruvananthapuram and Calicut, apart from Kochi in Kerala and the top four metros in India; along with offices in Dubai and Qatar.

Sources assert that they have already signed distribution deals with MSO’s like Asianet Satellite Communications and KCCL [Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd], while they are still in talks with DTH players, but aim to be available in about 15 days from now on.

TV Now enters a competitive market like Kerala which has about 40 million television viewers. While the entire regional news space is ruled by Asianet News and Manorama News, other news channels in the Kerala include India Vision, Mathrubhumi News, Reporter TV, People TV while DD Malayalam and Jai Hind also air Malayalam programming in news and current affairs.

TV Now is betting big on round-the-clock presence and the advantage of state-of-the-art technology which makes us a modern and forward-thinking television channel that can be accessed anytime, anywhere—be it via smart phones, tablets, laptops or any other tech gadget. The experience of HD technology with Dolby sound track, well connected high-end news rooms and 360-degree studio, and outstanding screen layout, graphics, image and fonts.