TV9 Telugu

Last updated

TV9 Telugu
TV9TeluguLogo.jpg
Country India
NetworkTV9 Network
Headquarters Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Programming
Language(s) Telugu
Ownership
OwnerMy Home Group, Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) [1]
ParentAssociated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd
Key peopleRajinikanth Vellalacheruvu (Managing Editor)
Sister channelsTV9 Bangla
TV9 Kannada
TV9 Gujarati
TV9 Marathi
TV9 Bharatvarsh
History
Launched1 February 2004(20 years ago) (1 February 2004)
Founder
Links
Website tv9telugu.com
tv9.com

TV9 Telugu (formerly TV9) is an Indian Telugu-language 24-hour news channel focusing on the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. [3] It formally launched on 1 February 2004 with a 15-day trial run before the formal launch. [4] It is headquartered in Hyderabad. Along with its rival ETV2 (now ETV Andhra Pradesh), it is the oldest 24-hour news channel in Telugu. [4] [2] [5]

Contents

The founding CEO was Ravi Prakash who served in the role till May 2019. [2] [6] The channel was founded with seed capital from serial entrepreneur Srini Raju's iLabs Ventures. [7] Srini Raju exited the company in August 2018 by selling his 80% stake to a group of investors including promoters of My Home Group and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL). [7]

Rajinikanth Vellalacheruvu is the current Managing Editor of the channel. [8] [3]

History

TV9 was launched as a 24-hour news channel in Telugu with its headquarters in Hyderabad. It formally launched on 1 February 2004 with a 15-day trial run before the formal launch. [4] [5] It is promoted by Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt. Ltd (ABCL). [9] [10] ABCL was backed by serial investor Srini Raju's iLabs Ventures with seed capital. [7] It was reported that TV9 received ₹15 crore funding from Srini Raju's iLabs and Chennai-based Unify Wealth Management. [5]

The founding CEO Ravi Prakash mentioned that they launched TV9 as a news channel targeting the youth and women. By June 2014, TV9 had 125 reporters across India. [5] The 2004 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections and the Indian general elections helped TV9 and its rival ETV2 to become established in the market. [11]

As of December 2011, Srini Raju's iLabs and other investors held 80 percent stake in ABCL, while CEO Ravi Prakash and other management team held 20 percent stake. [12] In September 2016, it was reported that Zee Group would likely buy a majority stake in ABCL. [2]

TV9 Network

Over a period of time, the parent company launched news channels in other Indian languages. Its sister channels include TV9 Kannada (in the state of Karnataka), [13] TV9 Marathi (in the state of Maharashtra), TV9 Gujarati (in the state of Gujarat), [13] TV9 Bharatvarsh (Hindi news channel), [14] TV9 Bangla (in the state of West Bengal). [15] [3] After the launch of other language channels, TV9 was renamed as TV9 Telugu.

ChannelLanguageYear
TV9 TeluguTelugu2004
TV9 KannadaKannada2006
TV9 GujaratiGujarati2007
TV9 MarathiMarathi2011
TV9 BharatvarshHindi2019
TV9 BanglaBangla2021
TV9 MP CGHindi2024

Change of ownership

In August 2018, a group of investors including promoters of ALANDA media picked up the nearly 80% stake held by Srini Raju in Associated Broadcasting Company Ltd (ABCL) which owns TV9 Telugu and its sister channels. [7] From 2004 till 2018, the investor had pumped in close to ₹2000 crore in tranches into the company. The company was valued at ₹9000 crore for the transaction. It marked the exit of Srini Raju from the company. [16]

In April 2019, Srini Raju agreed to pay ₹650 crore to SAIF Partners (now Elevation Capital), who were also the investors in the company (ABCL). It was also reported that film actor Sivaji who had previously bought around 9% of ABCL from founder CEO Ravi Prakash had raised objections to the sale of 80% equity to My Home Group and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL). [17]

Ouster of Ravi Prakash

Ravi Prakash served as its CEO from founding till May 2019 when he was sacked due to accusations of forgery. [18] Ravi Prakash later alleged that after the company's takeover its editorial and operational independence had been compromised. He also noted that he was kept in the dark about the involvement of Jupally Rameswar Rao of My Home Group among the investor group, to whom he would have never sold his company to. Ravi Prakash alleged that the closeness of Rameswar Rao to Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has eroded the unbiasedness of TV9 and that the channel is now being used to further the agenda of Telangana Rashtra Samiti government and Chandrasekhar Rao. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ETV Network</span> Indian Telugu-language television network

ETV Network is a network of Telugu language news and entertainment satellite television channels in India. It is based in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It also had some non Telugu-language satellite television channels. All non-Telugu satellite television channels were acquired by Reliance Industries-owned TV18 for ₹2,053 crore in FY 2014–15 and later rebranded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramalinga Raju</span> Indian businessman (born 1954)

Byrraju Ramalinga Raju is an Indian businessman. He is the founder of Satyam Computer Services and served as its chairman and CEO from 1987 until 2009. Raju stepped down following his admission to embezzlement from the company to the tune of ₹7,136 crores, including ₹5040 crores of non-existent cash and bank balances. In 2015, he was convicted of corporate fraud, which led to the collapse of Satyam Computers.

<i>Tulasi</i> (film) 2007 Indian film

Tulasi is a 2007 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Boyapati Srinu, and produced by D.Suresh Babu on Suresh Productions banner. It stars Venkatesh and Nayantara in the lead roles.the film was a super hit at the box office

<i>Alluri Seetarama Raju</i> (film) 1974 film

Alluri Seetarama Raju is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Tripuraneni Maharadhi. The film stars Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala, and Jaggayya and was produced by Padmalaya Studios. Notably, it marks Krishna's 100th film as an actor and is recognized as the first Telugu film made in Cinemascope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Maa</span> Indian Telugu -language television channel

Star Maa is an Indian Telugu language general entertainment pay television channel operated by Disney Star, a subsidiary of Star India. It primarily telecasts programmes such as serials, reality shows and Telugu films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ETV (Telugu)</span> Indian Telugu-language TV channel

ETV is an Indian Telugu-language general entertainment pay television channel. The channel was launched on 27 August 1995 focusing on the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of the ETV Network owned by Ramoji Group. It is the second oldest Telugu satellite channel after Gemini TV. It is also one of the earliest private satellite channels in South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NTV (India)</span> Indian Telugu-language news channel

NTV is an Indian Telugu-language news channel established by Tummala Narendra Choudary on 30 August 2007. The channel is named after the founder Narendra Choudary who also serves as its Chairman while his wife Tummala Rama Devi is the Managing Director. NTV's parent company is Rachana Television Pvt. Ltd (RTPL). RTPL also owns the devotional channel Bhakthi TV and women-focused channel Vanitha TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sakshi (media group)</span> Indian newsgroup

Sakshi is an Indian Telugu-language media group. The group owns the daily newspaper Sakshi, 24-hour news channel Sakshi TV, and associated digital ventures. Its first asset, Sakshi newspaper, was launched on 23 March 2008 by Jagati Publications Ltd. owned by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Sakshi TV was launched on 1 March 2009, by Indira Television Ltd., also owned by Reddy. The group is currently run under the chairmanship of Y. S. Bharathi Reddy, wife of Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Tatineni Prakash Rao was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil films. In a career spanning nearly four decades, he directed over 40 films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Srini Raju</span> Indian entrepreneur

Chintalapati Srinivasa Raju is an Indian entrepreneur and Private Equity Investor. Throughout his career, he has been associated with Satyam Computer Services, Cognizant, and iLabs Group. Srini Raju also founded TV9 media group and Sri City, it was the first "Integrated Smart City" of its kind in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sakshi TV</span> Indian Telugu-language TV news channel

Sakshi TV is an Indian Telugu-language 24-hour news channel. It was launched on 1 March 2009, by Indira Television Ltd. owned by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. It is currently run under the chairmanship of Y. S. Bharathi Reddy, wife of Jagan Mohan Reddy. The media group also owns the Telugu daily newspaper, Sakshi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10TV</span> Telugu news channel

10TV is an Indian Telugu-language 24-hour news channel focused on the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It was launched on 16 March 2013 with the backing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). The channel was funded through crowdfunding from various affiliated associations and unions of CPM. It was marketed as an independent channel with a co-operative type ownership, free from the influences of big businesses. In 2018, there was a change in the ownership of the channel. It was reportedly bought by business houses close to some politicians.

<i>Lion</i> (2015 film) 2015 Indian film

Lion is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film produced by Rudrapati Ramana Rao under the SLV cinema banner and directed by debutant Satyadev. The plot of the movie is loosely based on the Hollywood movie Unknown. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Trisha, and Radhika Apte with music composed by Mani Sharma. It was a commercial failure at the box office. It was dubbed in Hindi as Ek Tsunami Jwalamukhi.

<i>Dictator</i> (2016 film) 2016 film directed by Sriwass

Dictator is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action film, jointly produced by Eros International & Sriwass under Vedhaaswa Creations banner and directed by Sriwass. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Anjali, Sonal Chauhan and Vikramjeet Virk music is composed by S. Thaman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jupally Rameswar Rao</span> Indian businessman

JupallyRameswar Rao is an Indian businessman. He is the founder-chairman of My Home Group, a Hyderabad-based company with a presence in realty estate, cement, and power sectors. One of the brands of his company, Maha Cement has a reported annual revenue of ₹3,000 crore. As per Forbes magazine, Rameswar Rao has a net worth of US$2.5 billion, as of march 2024.

<i>NTR: Kathanayakudu</i> 2019 Indian film

NTR: Kathanayakudu is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language biographical drama film based on the real life and acting career of N. T. Rama Rao (NTR). It was directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and produced by Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati, Vishnu Vardhan Induri under NBK Films, Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram, Vibri Media banners. It is the first installation of a two-part film. The film stars an ensemble cast with Nandamuri Balakrishna, as his father N. T. Rama Rao, Vidya Balan in lead roles. Music is composed by M. M. Keeravani. The film has a sequel, NTR: Mahanayakudu, that showcases the political journey of Rama Rao.

ETV Andhra Pradesh is an Indian Telugu-language 24-hour news channel focusing on the state of Andhra Pradesh. The channel was launched by the media conglomerate ETV Network owned by Ramoji Group on 28 December 2003 as ETV2. Along with its rival TV9 Telugu, it is the oldest 24-hour news channel in Telugu. In May 2014, after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the channel was renamed as ETV Andhra Pradesh, while the then recently launched ETV3 channel was renamed as ETV Telangana.

References

  1. ↑ "About us – TV9 Network". TV9. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Reddy, B. Dasarath (27 September 2016). "Zee Group likely to acquire TV9". Business Standard . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "TV9 Network – Broadcast". TV9 Network. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Telugu tackled; TV9 keen on Kannada news channel next". indiantelevision.com. 26 February 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Five's not a crowd for Telugu news channels". indiantelevision.com. 14 June 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "'Attempt to control independent media': Sacked TV9 CEO Ravi Prakash alleges conspiracy". The News Minute . 11 May 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Chandramouli, Rajesh (27 August 2018). "Srini Raju exits TV9 Network". The Times of India . Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Quint, The (10 March 2020). "'Loved His Daughter': Telugu Channels Condone Honour Killing". TheQuint. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited – Company, directors and contact details". Zauba Corp. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  10. ↑ Singh, Dr. Paramveer (2021). Indian Silver Screen. K. K. Publications. p. 301.
  11. ↑ "Telugu TV Market: The Undercurrents". Indiantelevision.com. 13 August 2005. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "iLabs exit from Associated Broadcasting Company likely next month: Srini Raju". The Economic Times. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  13. 1 2 "The battle for eyeballs". The Times of India . 12 August 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "TV9's Hindi news channel TV9 Bharatvarsh to be launched today". Exchange4media. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "TV9 Network launches 24x7 Bengali news channel TV9 Bangla". Exchange4media. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  16. ↑ K. V. Kurmanath; M. Somasekar (22 August 2018). "Srini Raju's investment firms to exit news-channel operator TV9". Business Line . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  17. ↑ Sukumar, C. R. "TV9 deal: Srini Raju agrees to pay Rs 65 crore to SAIF Fund". The Economic Times . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Ravi Prakash Removed As CEO of TV9 News Channel Over Forgery Charges". NDTV.com. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  19. ↑ "Battle for TV9: Founder Ravi Prakash says businessman staged coup, wants editorial control". The News Minute. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2022.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.