Sun Network launches Sun Bangla HD and Sun Marathi HD

Sun Bangla HD and Sun Marathi HD were launched by Sun Network on 28th November on the network’s own DTH platform Sun Direct. Both the channels have been placed at LCN 890 and 895 respectively. This marks the launch of the network’s eighth and ninth HD channel after the launch of Udaya TV HD and Surya TV HD in 2017. Also, Sun Bangla HD becomes the fifth HD channel in the Bengali TV industry whereas Sun Marathi HD stands as the sixth HD channel in the respective TV industry.

Sun Bangla was launched on 2nd February 2019

Sun Network, for the first time, launched its non-South Indian regional channel, Sun Bangla on 2nd February 2019 making its ingress in the Bengali TV industry against the rival networks’ Zee Bangla, Star Jalsha Colors Bangla and Sony Aath, making it the eighth GEC in the Bengali TV industry. The channel replaced the network’s Telugu news channel, Gemini News and is free-to-air.

The channel was launched with the slogan Mone Prane Bengali targeting the Bengali audience with its lineup of a combination of original and dubbed content. To name a few, some of the channel’s original serials include Simana Periye, Sagarika, Asha and Lata Keshav.

Sun Bangla had also entered the top five race of Bengali channels by securing the fourth and fifth positions as per the BARC ratings within a year of its launch in January 2020.

Sun Marathi had its launch on 16th October 2021

Subsequently, after two years i.e., in the year 2021, Sun Network made its entry into the Marathi TV industry by launching Sun Marathi on 16th October. The channel also marked as the second non-South Indian channel of the network after Sun Bangla. The channel was the industry’s sixth GEC after Sony Marathi which was launched on 19th August 2018. The channel superseded the network’s Kannada news channel, Udaya News and is also free-to-air.

The channel that was launched with the slogan Sohala Natyancha, had similar lineup of shows similar to that of Sun Bangla i.e., a mixture of original and dubbed content.

Both the HD channels are available on Sun Direct and Tata Play

Sun Bangla HD and Sun Marathi HD are available on Sun Direct at LCN 890 and 895 and on Tata Play at LCN 1316 and 1216 respectively. Tata Play, India’s leading DTH was the second DTH to add both these FTA HD channels just a few days after Sun Direct.

Apart from these HD channels, Sun Network has plans to launch Sun Neo and Sun Neo HD, which are supposed to be the network’s Hindi GECs. This will also lead the network to enter the dominant Hindi TV market. As of now, the channel has started its satellite test transmission and is expected to launch on 14th January 2024.