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'''Television in the Tamil language''' traces its origins back to the 1990s. Key genres of television shows encompass serials, news programs, variety shows, game shows, movies, and documentaries. Many Indian-Tamil television programs are accessible on satellite and multicultural channels in overseas territories such as [[Sri Lanka]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Australia]]. The pioneering private channel was [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] from India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/sun-tv-network-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-17994.cms|title=Sun TV history|publisher=Economic Times|access-date=28 November 2015}}</ref>

==History==
The inception of Tamil language small-screen programming began in 1963 in [[Singapore]] and the 1980s in [[India]]. Initially, broadcasts ran from 7:15 pm to 11:15 pm daily, featuring programs in Singapore's four official languages (Tamil, Malay, Chinese, and English). Tamil programming initially aired on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] and later also on [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]]. On 30 March 1973, Channel 8 became the dedicated Tamil-language service, with limited programming, after a decision taken by RTS to streamline the language sof the two channels.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 March 1973 |title=NEW TIMES FOR TV SCREENING FROM FRIDAY |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19730327-1.2.46?qt=rts,%20%22channel%205%22,%20tamil&q=%22RTS%22%20%22Channel%205%22%20%22Tamil%22 |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref> When Channel 8 started on 31 August 1963 with a pilot schedule, it aired the Tamil film ''[[Naan Petra Selvam]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Television Singapura The Straits Times|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19630831-1.2.109.1?ST=1&AT=filter&DF=&DT=&AO=true&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=&SortBy=Oldest&k=%22programme+summary%22%26ka%3d%22programme+summary%22&P=183&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=%22programmesummary%22&oref=article|access-date=29 July 2020|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=31 August 1963}}</ref> In [[India]], there was only one national channel, the government-owned Doordarshan, which commenced broadcasting programs in Indian languages in the 1980s,<ref name=podhigai/> although television signals had reached [[Chennai]], the capital of [[Tamil Nadu]], on 15 August 1975.<ref name="Kendra502009">[https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/Celebrating-a-milestone/article16885655.ece Celebrating a milestone]</ref> Dubbing of Hindi series to Tamil became mandatory at DD Chennai in 1985.<ref>''Southern Comfort'', TV and Video World, September 1985</ref>

The 2000s marked the golden era for the Tamil language television industry, witnessing phenomenal growth in every dimension.

==Television by country==
===India===
{{Main|List of Tamil-language television channels in India}}
The first Tamil television channels, [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] and [[DD Podhigai]],<ref name=podhigai>{{cite web |url=https://www.ddpodhigai.org.in/index.php/wings-2/about-the-kendra.html |title=About the Kendra |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106204239/https://www.ddpodhigai.org.in/index.php/wings-2/about-the-kendra.html |archive-date=6 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddindia.gov.in/About+DD/CPC |title=Regional Language Satellite Service |access-date=2011-07-10 |publisher=[[Doordarshan]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622215640/http://ddindia.gov.in/About+DD/CPC |archive-date=22 June 2011 }}</ref> were launched on April 14, 1993, in [[India]]. Businessman [[Kalanithi Maran]] established the first Tamil language TV station, Sun TV, which commenced broadcasting on April 14, 1993,<ref>{{cite web|last=Menon|first=Jaya|title=Karunanidhi wife pulls out stake in Sun TV|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/storyOld.php?storyId=81585|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=8 November 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ia.rediff.com/money/2006/apr/28spec.htm |title=Rediff India Abroad, April 28, 2006 – Kalanithi Maran: A 'Sunshine' story, by Sanjiv Shankaran and S. Bridget Leena in New Delhi |work=Rediff.com |access-date=24 January 2012}}</ref> initially offering four-and-a-half hours of programming per day under a time-sharing agreement with [[Asia Television Network|ATN]]. However, in January 1997, it transitioned to a 24-hour programming channel. The [[Sun TV Network]] recently launched a DTH service, making its channels available in several countries outside India.{{fact|date=December 2023}}

On October 14, 1994, [[Raj TV]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/raj-television-network-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-15767.cms|title=The Economic Times|work=indiatimes.com}}</ref> was launched by Rajendran and became the second most popular channel in Tamil in the early 2000s. The same year, another channel called Golden Eagle Communication was launched by [[N. P. V. Ramasamy Udayar]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/from-booze-to-news/200528|title=From Booze To News|website=Outlook India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/news_analysis/newsletter/091198/utv91198.htm|title=Why UTV bought Vijay TV|work=Indian Television}}</ref> which was later acquired by [[Star India]] in 2001. Star India took over the channel and rebranded it as [[Star Vijay]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/brand-equity/entertainment/star-india-buys-out-utvs-stake-in-vijay-tv/articleshow/808761.cms|title=Star India buys out UTV's stake in Vijay TV|website=The Economic Times}}</ref>

On August 22, 1999, [[Jaya TV]] was launched in honor of the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, [[J. Jayalalithaa]].{{fact|date=December 2023}}

The most recent channels and networks in the Tamil-based Indian broadcasting industry include [[Jaya TV]], [[Kalaignar TV]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/25343_kalaignar-tv-set-to-attract-viewers-with-new-launches|title=Kalaignar TV set to attract viewers with new launches|website=www.afaqs.com|date=29 Oct 2009|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tv-series-on-dmk-patriarch-karunanidhi-s-life-from-nov-2/story-y4d8JODnVkLkKBQqPr6jRP.html|title=TV series on DMK patriarch Karunanidhi's life from Nov 2|website=www.hindustantimes.com|date=31 Oct 2019 |language=en}}</ref> [[Zee Tamil]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Zee launches Tamil channel|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/zee-launches-tamil-channel/372401|work=financialexpress.com|date=12 October 2008 |access-date=22 April 2014}}</ref> [[Polimer TV]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/The-battle-for-original-Tamil-TV-content/articleshow/53735461.cms|title=The battle for original Tamil TV content|newspaper=The Times of India|date=17 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2020}}</ref> [[Colors Tamil]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/viacom18-enters-tamil-market-with-launch-of-colors-tamil-ropes-in-actor-arya-as-brand-ambassador/articleshow/62852267.cms|title=Viacom18 enters Tamil market with launch of Colors Tamil|date=2018-02-09|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref> [[Vendhar TV]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-tv-serials/21309/Chinna-thirai-Television-News/Vendhar-T.V-begins.htm|title=Vendhar TV begins|date=25 August 2014 |publisher=[[Dinamalar]]}}</ref> [[Makkal TV]] and [[Puthuyugam TV]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/Puthuyugam-spruces-up-prime-time/articleshow/49044861.cms | title=Puthuyugam spruces up prime time | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=21 September 2015 | access-date=8 October 2015}}</ref> Currently, the major four cable general entertainment channels that dominate the [[Target rating point|TRP]] rivalry are [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]], [[Star Vijay]], [[Zee Tamil]], [[Kalaignar TV]], and [[Colors Tamil]].{{fact|date=December 2023}}

===Singapore===
Singapore Television Twelve split the former Channel 12 on September 1, 1995, with the existing channel being replaced by Prime 12, including Tamil-language programming on its schedule. The first [[Singapore Tamils]] channel, [[Central (TV channel)|Vasantham Central]], was launched on January 30, 2000. It was founded and is owned by [[MediaCorp]]. On October 19, 2008, Vasantham Central was relaunched as [[Vasantham (TV channel)|Vasantham]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Alicia |title=Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080301-1.2.6.1 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=24 March 2020 |date=1 March 2008}}</ref>

===Malaysia===
{{Main|Lists of Tamil-language media in Malaysia}}
The first [[Tamil Malaysians]] channel was [[Astro Vaanavil]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sankaran |first1=Chitra |last2=Pillai |first2=Shanthini |year=2011 |title=Transnational Tamil television and diasporic imaginings |journal=International Journal of Cultural Studies |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=277–289 |doi=10.1177/1367877910391867|s2cid=145197401 }}</ref> It was launched on June 1, 1996, and created by [[Astro (television)|Astro]]. The second general entertainment channel was [[Astro Vinmeen HD]]. It was launched on October 18, 2013. The channel is co-owned by Southeast Asia's second richest man, [[Ananda Krishnan]], and Astro Malaysia Holdings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singtel TV : Channels & On Demand : Channels : CH626 Astro Vinmeen HD |url=http://www.singteltv.com.sg/channels-on-demand_channels_details.asp?ch=626 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012124039/http://www.singteltv.com.sg/channels-on-demand_channels_details.asp?ch=626 |archive-date=2015-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onscreenasia.com/article/astro-debuts-s-e-a-first-24-hour-tamil-hd-channel/13144 |title=Astro debuts S.E.A.'s first 24-hour Tamil HD channel | OnScreenAsia.com |access-date=2015-11-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122113609/http://www.onscreenasia.com/article/astro-debuts-s-e-a-first-24-hour-tamil-hd-channel/13144 |archive-date=22 November 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref>

Astro Vellithirai also launched on 16 April 2007 and is special for Tamil movie fans.

===Sri Lanka===
The [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] channel emerged in the early 2000s. On October 20, 1998, [[Shakthi TV]] was launched by Capital Maharaja.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shakthi TV|url=https://www.dialog.lk/television-channel-shakthi/|website=Dialog|access-date=19 August 2015}}</ref> It quickly became the most popular channel in [[Sri Lanka]].

===France===
The first [[Tamil population by nation|France-based]] [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language satellite television channel, [[Tamil Television Network]], was launched in June 1997. Its main audience was [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] living in [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_02/uk/dossier/txt14.htm |title=Sri Lankan expats find a guardian angel |last=Anbarasan |first=Ethirajan |date=February 2000 |publisher=[[UNESCO]] Courier |accessdate=20 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517022052/http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_02/uk/dossier/txt14.htm |archivedate=May 17, 2008 }}</ref> It was the first Tamil-language TV station outside [[India]]. The channel ceased broadcasting on May 2, 2007, when [[Globecast]] stopped relaying the channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=22047|title=France suspends TTN broadcast|date=2 May 2007|publisher=[[TamilNet]]|accessdate=20 December 2009}}</ref>

===Canada===
The first [[Television in Canada|Canadian]]-based Tamil language channel, [[Tamil One]], was launched on September 6, 2001. Its main audience comprised [[Sri Lankan Tamils]]. The second entertainment channel, Tamil Vision International, based in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], was launched on September 7, 2001. It stands as the largest Tamil media outlet in [[North America]].

The third entertainment channel, [[Tamil Entertainment Television]], was officially launched on December 13, 2012, on [[Bell Fibe TV]]. It holds the distinction of being the first 24-hour Tamil channel in [[North America]] to broadcast in [[High-definition television|HD]].

===United Kingdom===
[[IBC Tamil]] Television was launched in April 2015 at a ceremonial event in [[London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiantelevision.com/channel/atn-ibc-tamil|title=Asian Television Network – Canada – Multicultural – South Asian TV – ATN IBC Tamil|website=Asiantelevision.com|access-date=16 December 2017}}</ref> It became the second Tamil channel in the [[United Kingdom]] after [[Deepam TV]]. The channel was inaugurated with over 1500 people in attendance. [[Deepam TV]] had been launched in June 2000 and broadcasts round the clock from its studios in Hayes.

In 2015, the company announced an investment of £2 million in state-of-the-art digital studio equipment. As a result, the channel now produces nearly all its video content in [[High-definition television|HD]] through its studios in the UK, [[India]], and [[Sri Lanka]].

===Australia===
The first [[Australians|Australian-Tamil]] television channel, Sigaram TV, was launched in the early 2000s. However, in September 2006, due to bankruptcy, Sigaram TV ceased operations, and its existing subscribers were acquired by [[Tharisanam TV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/156/37/|title=Tharisanam TV Channel 1 Commences on THAI PONGAL DAY in Australia and Newzealand |date=12 December 2006 |publisher=Tamil Sydney|accessdate=22 December 2009}}</ref> In Europe, for a brief period in mid-2008, Tharisanam TV changed its name to Thendral TV due to a change in management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11890|title=Breaking News: The LTTE TV Tharishanam goes off the air from today onwards|date=22 June 2008|publisher=[[Asian Tribune]]|accessdate=22 December 2009}}</ref> However, in [[Australia]], the channel continued to operate as Tharisanam TV.

In October 2008, the channel rebranded as [[Global Tamil Vision]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/tvupdates/monthly/200810 |title=Television Broadcast Licensing Update October 2008 |work=Licensing updates |publisher=[[Ofcom]] |accessdate=19 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502082124/http://ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/tvupdates/monthly/200810 |archivedate=May 2, 2009 }}</ref> Today, Global Tamil Vision stands as one of the largest Tamil TV networks in the world.

==Streaming service (OTT)==
Online video streaming, also known as [[Over-the-top media service|Over-the-top]] (OTT) services like [[Hotstar]], [[Sun NXT]], [[ZEE5]], [[Amazon Prime Video]], [[Mediacorp]], [[MX Player]], and others, gained popularity among Tamil people after 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. This trend posed a threat to the [[Tamil television drama]] industry.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Puthiyakath|first1=Hashim Hamza|last2=Goswami|first2=Manash Pratim|date=2021-05-06|title=Is Over the Top Video Platform the Game Changer over Traditional TV Channels in India? A Niche Analysis|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1326365X211009639|journal=Asia Pacific Media Educator|volume=31 |language=en|pages=133–150|doi=10.1177/1326365X211009639|s2cid=235405617 |issn=1326-365X|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Channels by country==
===General entertainment===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Channel
! Launch
! Owner
! Country
|-
| [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]
| 14 April 1993
| [[Sun TV Network]]
| rowspan="18" | India
|-
| [[Raj TV]]
| 14 October 1994
| [[Raj Television Network]]
|-
| [[Star Vijay]]
| 24 November 1994
| [[Disney Star]]
|-
|[[Kalaignar TV]]
| 15 September 2007
| [[Kalaignar TV Private Limited]]
|-
| [[Mega TV (Tamil)|Mega TV]]
| 19 November 2007
| Mega TV Network
|-
| [[Vasanth TV]]
| 5 May 2008
| [[Vasanth & Co|Vasanth & Co Group]]
|-
| [[Zee Tamil]]
| 12 October 2008
| [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises]]
|-
| [[Polimer TV]]
| 2009
| Polimer Media Private Limited
|-
| [[Puthuyugam TV]]
| 23 October 2013
| rowspan="2" |SRM Group
|-
| [[Vendhar TV]]
| 24 August 2014
|-
| Vaanavil TV
| 14 February 2016
| Unknown
|-
| [[Colors Tamil]]
| 19 February 2018
| [[Viacom18]]
|-
| [[Blacksheep TV]]
| 15 January 2023
| [[Kalaignar TV Private Limited]]
|-
|M Nadu TV
|15 January 2023
|TN Networks private limited
|}

==See also==
* [[List of Tamil-language television channels in India]]
* [[List of Tamil-language television channels]]
* [[Tamil television drama]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Tamil Television}}
{{Television in India}}
{{Tamil-language media}}
{{Television in Asia}}

[[Category:Tamil-language television| ]]
[[Category:Tamil-language entertainment]]
[[Category:Tamil culture|Television]]

Television in Tamil language - Revision history

Jugnu: Created new data