News Broadcasting
Indiavision to launch second channel in October
MUMBAI: Malayalam news channel Indiavision will soon have a sibling in a youth-oriented entertainment channel. Indiavision Satellite Communications, promoters of Indiavision, is targeting an October launch for the 24-hour channel.
Indiavision is actually converting its existing music channel, which is a non-entity in the Malayalam television market, to a full-fledged entertainment channel targeting the youth. The company is yet to take a final decision on the logo and name of the new channel as it is awaiting permission from the Information & Broadcasting Ministry on the re-launch.
“We expect to get I & B permission by this month end, after which we will unveil the name and logo of the channel,” Indiavision distribution head Vinod Kumar told indiantelevision.com.
Indiavision had launched its second channel in late 2004 with intentions of making it a lottery channel. But it had to change its plan and make it a music channel following the government restrictions on online lottery. The company, however, concentrated on the news channel and decided to go slow on the music channel.
Indiavision had kicked off its plans to revive the music channel early this year. But the focus got shifted to taking the news channel to the Middle East and beefing up the news operations there. The news channel opened a studio in Dubai Media City last week to beam programmes live. This facility now helps the channel to telecast news bulletins and news-based programmes live from the Gulf.
Now the entertainment channel project takes centre-stage for the company again. Indiavision feels that having a full-fledged second channel will solve its distribution issues since Indiavision news channel is yet to get a nationwide presence on cable networks. The company is planning to launch the entertainment channel in the Gulf as well.
“Having a bouquet of two channels can change the equation on the distribution front. We have already started out talks with cable operators in Mumbai and Chennai. By 2005-end we will have a national presence,” says Kumar.
The Malayalam television market has seen a flurry of channel launches this year. Asianet has recently launched its youth-oriented entertainment channel Asianet Plus. The market has also witnessed the launches of Sun’s music and movie channel Kiran TV, Kairali’s infotainment channel People TV and Amrita TV in 2005.
News Broadcasting
TV9 to host What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 in Delhi
PM Narendra Modi to keynote two day forum on India and the world
NEW DELHI: TV9 Network is gearing up to host the fourth edition of its flagship What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 on March 23 and 24 in the national capital, bringing together a wide spectrum of voices to debate India’s place in a shifting global order.
The summit will open with a keynote address by Narendra Modi, setting the tone for this year’s theme, “India and the world”, as the country positions itself at the crossroads of economic growth, geopolitical shifts and technological change.
From cabinet ministers to chief ministers, business leaders to cultural figures, the event promises a crowded stage and a lively exchange of ideas. Union ministers such as Piyush Goyal and Jyotiraditya Scindia are expected to attend, alongside state leaders including Mohan Yadav, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Nayab Singh Saini and Bhagwant Mann.
Political voices from across the aisle, including Smriti Irani, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi, will also join the conversation, ensuring that the debates are as diverse as they are dynamic.
Adding a cultural and sporting touch, personalities such as yoga guru Swami Ramdev, poet Kumar Vishwas and cricketing names like Sourav Ganguly, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh are set to share the stage. Global business leaders and diplomats will further widen the lens, reflecting the summit’s international outlook.
Speaking ahead of the event, TV9 Network managing director and chief executive officer Barun Das, said India stands at a unique moment in history, combining demographic strength, technological capability and entrepreneurial energy. He noted that in uncertain times, honest conversations and bold ideas will shape the country’s trajectory.
The summit will explore themes ranging from economic growth and governance to innovation, sustainability and culture, positioning itself as a platform for dialogue at a time when the world is in flux.
With a packed agenda and a high-profile guest list, What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 aims to do more than just talk. It seeks to capture a moment where India is not only part of the global conversation, but increasingly helping lead it.
