Three new Indian satellite TV channels with political affiliations will launch, causing turmoil among all the satellite TV channels in Tamil Nadu state, South India. The new satellite TV channels are Kalaignar TV owned by the Chief Minister’s family, Mega TV from Congressman and former Union Minister K V Thangabalu, and Congressman’s Vasanthakumar’s Vasanth TV. The new satellite TV channels are government backed.

Mega TV and Kalaignar TV will launch in August and September, 2007 and this means that all major political parties in Tamil Nadu will then have their own satellite TV channels. Opposition to the new satellite TV channels includes Jaya TV and Makkal TV, operational since 2006 and also politically backed.

All these satellite TV channels may to air opposing political views as well as other programming. The channels all want the others’ political broadcasts downplayed. Interestingly, Vasanth TV’s owner also directs Vasanth & Co, a top retail chain in the state. Satellite TV in Southern India may become an extensive venue for political and retailing messages.