Star India’s upcoming Tamil Music channel Star Vijay Music and Zee Entertainment’s upcoming Kannada Movie channel Zee Picchar have started its test transmission on satellite a few weeks back.
Star Vijay Music started its test transmission in early December. The test transmission is being aired on Asiasat 7 on 3940 V 28100 Frequency. The channel is reported to scheduled to launch near Pongal. However, the broadcaster is yet to publish a new RIO containing Star Vijay Music which indicates that it might launch at a later period of time.
Zee Picchar meanwhile started its test transmission on INSAT 4-B on 4042 H 7500 Frequency in late November. Zee Thirai’s test transmission also went on the air along with Zee Picchar on the same day. While Zee Biskope, Zee Punjabi and Zee Thirai are all ready to launch with the promos already out Zee Picchar is likely to launch later on in March according to sources.
Both channels were encrypted from the start of its test transmission. Both are likely to be paid television channels. The test transmission has television viewers excited with the Tamil and Kannada market set to see new pay-TV launches after quite some time. The launch is going to increase the competition in the respective markets.
Raju Lal, a TV Industry enthusiast said, “Sun Music is going to get a major competitor through Star Vijay Music. I hope this channel will be priced Rs 1 and not more than Rs 2.” This was echoed by another Tamil viewer Amarnath who said, “ Here comes the competition for Sun Music. Vijay Super is already doing well after its conversion into a Movie channel. I hope the same for the Music channel too !”
DreamDTH had earlier in October reported the grant of license to Vijay Music by the I&B Ministry. The license was granted in the month of May with the broadcaster having started the preparations for the launch in early 2019. Zee Picchar, on the other hand, was recently granted a license with the I&B Ministry allowing Zee to rename Zee Malayalam license to Zee Picchar.
DreamDTH has reached out to Star India and Zee Entertainment for a comment on the launch of Star Vijay Music and Zee Picchar. We will update here as and when they respond back.
Broadcasters will, however, have to ensure proper distribution of its channels to ensure it can compete at least. Star India’s Nat Geo Tamil and Nat Geo Telugu launched earlier this year have till date not landed on any major DPO with the scales tilted in the favour of the DPOs in the New Regime.
As an Tamil viewer, I tell here Vijay music also launch their HD version and blow up the sun music ( Anytime ad channel).