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{{short description|Tamil satellite television station}}
{{short description|Indian television channel}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox television channel
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Sun TV
| name = Sun TV
| logo = Sun TV logo.svg
| logo = Sun TV Logo 2026.png
| logo_caption =  
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2026
| logo_size = 200px
| sister_channels = ''See [[List of channels owned by Sun TV Network]]''
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1993|4|14|df=y}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/sun-tv-network-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-17994.cms|title=Sun TV Netgwork Ltd. |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=28 November 2015}}</ref><br />{{start date|2011|12|11|df=y}} ([[HDTV]])
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1993|4|14|df=y}}<ref name="History">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/sun-tv-network-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-17994.cms|title=Sun TV Network Ltd. |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=28 November 2015}}</ref>
| closed_date =  
| closed_date =  
| picture_format = [[576i]] ([[SDTV]] 16:9)<br />[[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]] 16:9)
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]]
| network = [[Sun TV Network]]
| network = [[Sun TV Network]]
| country = [[India]]
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| area = [[World|World wide]]
| area = Worldwide
| headquarters = [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu|Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| headquarters = [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu, India
| former_names =  
| former_names =  
| replaced =  
| replaced =  
| sister_channels = {{Collapsible list
| list_style = text-align:left;
| 1          = [[Gemini TV]]<br />[[Surya TV]]<br />[[Udaya TV]]<br />[[Sun Bangla]]<br />[[KTV (India)]]<br />[[Gemini Movies]]<br />[[Udaya Movies]]<br />[[Surya Movies]]<br />[[Sun Music]]<br />[[Gemini Music]]<br />[[Udaya Music]]<br />[[Surya Music]]<br />[[Adithya TV]]<br />[[Gemini Comedy]]<br />[[Udaya Comedy]]<br />[[Surya Comedy Channel]]<br />[[Chutti TV]]<br />[[Kushi TV]]<br />[[Chintu TV]]<br />[[Kochu TV]]<br />Sun Life<br />Gemini Life<br />[[Sun News (India)|Sun News]]}}
| timeshift_service =  
| timeshift_service =  
| web = [http://www.sun.in/  Sun TV ]
| owner = [[Sun Group]]
                    [http://sunnxt.com/  Sun NXT ]
| website = [https://www.sunnetwork.in Sun TV]
| sat_serv_1 = [[Dialog TV]] <br /><small>([[Sri Lanka]])</small>
| terr_serv_1 = {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Astro (company)|Astro]]
| sat_chan_1 = Channel 108 (SD)
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 215 ([[High definition television|HD]])
| sat_serv_2 = [[TATA Sky]] <br /><small>(India)</small>
| online_serv_1 = [[Sun NXT]] ([[India]])
| sat_chan_2 = Channel 1503 ([[HDTV]])<br />Channel 1504 (SD)
| online_chan_1 = [https://www.sunnxt.com/home Sun TV]
| sat_serv_3 = [[Dish TV]] <br /><small>(India)</small>
| terr_serv_2 = {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Astro NJOI|NJOI]]
| sat_chan_3 = Channel 1801([[HDTV]]) <br />Channel 1802 (SD)
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 215 ([[High definition television|HD]])
| sat_serv_4 = [[Videocon d2h]] <br /><small>(India)</small>
| online_serv_2 = {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Astro (company)|Astro]]
| sat_chan_4 = Channel 980 ([[HDTV]]) <br />Channel 542 (SD)
| online_chan_2 = [[Astro Go]] / On Demand
| sat_serv_5 = [[Airtel digital TV]] <br /><small>(India)</small>
| sat_chan_5 = Channel 755 ([[HDTV]]) <br />Channel 754 (SD)
| sat_serv_6 = [[Sun Direct]] <br /><small>(India)</small>
| sat_chan_6 = Channel 800 ([[HDTV]]) <br />Channel 011 (SD)
| sat_serv_7 = <nowiki>Lao Sat DTH MM </nowiki><br /><small>(Malaysia)</small>
| sat_chan_7 = Channel 94(SD)
| sat_serv_8 = [[Dish Network]] <br /><small>(United States)</small>
| sat_chan_8 = Channel 753 (SD)
| sat_serv_9 = [[OSN]] <small>([[Middle East]]<br />& [[North Africa]])</small>
| sat_chan_9 = Channel 287 (SD)
| sat_serv_10 = [[Astro Malaysia|Astro]]<br /><small>([[Malaysia]])</small>
| sat_chan_10 = Channel 211 (Upgrade to HD from 1 April 2021)
| cable_serv_1 = [[Sumangali Cable Vision|SCV]] <br /><small> ([[Chennai]], India)</small>
| cable_chan_1 = Channel 100 (SD)<br />Channel 1000 ([[HDTV]])
| cable_serv_2 = [[Hathway]] <br /><small>([[Mumbai]], India)</small>
| cable_chan_2 = Channel 51 (SD)
| cable_serv_3 = [[Asianet Digital TV]] <br /><small>([[Kerala]], India)</small>
| cable_chan_3 = Channel 200 (SD)
| cable_serv_4 = [[Kerala Vision Digital TV]] <br /><small>([[Kerala]], India)</small>
| cable_chan_4 = Channel 61 (SD)<br />Channel 882 (HD)
| cable_serv_5 = [[Rogers Cable]] <br /><small>(Canada)</small>
| cable_chan_5 = Channel 865 (SD)
| cable_serv_6 = <nowiki>TACTV </nowiki><br /><small>([[Qatar]])</small>
| cable_chan_6 = Channel 269 (SD)
| cable_serv_7 = [[Sreedevi Digital]]<br /><small>([[Andhra Pradesh]], India)</small>
| cable_chan_7 = Channel 503 (SD)
| cable_serv_8 = [[:zh:澳門有線電視|Macau Cable TV]] ([[Macau]])
| cable_chan_8 = Channel 511 (SD)
| cable_serv_9 = [[Digicon]]<br /><small>([[Tamilnadu]], India)</small>
| cable_chan_9 = Channel 901 ([[HDTV]]) <br /> Channel 101 (SD)
| iptv_serv_1 = [[Singtel TV]] <br /><small>([[Singapore]])</small>
| iptv_chan_1 = Channel 622 (HD)
| iptv_serv_2 = [[StarHub TV]] <br /><small>([[Singapore]])</small>
| iptv_chan_2 = Channel 133 (SD)
}}
}}


'''Sun TV''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[general entertainment]] pay channel launched on 14 April 1993. It is the flagship channel of the [[Chennai]]-based [[media conglomerate]] [[SUN Group|Sun Group's]] [[Sun TV Network]]. It was founded and is owned by [[Kalanithi Maran]].<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> Sun TV launched its HD version on 11 December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bseindia.com/corporates/anndet_new.aspx?newsid=af1b67fd-3e02-4933-8806-54fc2be189ea|title=Sun TV HD launched|access-date=28 November 2015|publisher=bseindia.com}}</ref> All programmes are streamed on their official digital platform [[Sun NXT]].
'''Sun TV''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[general entertainment]] [[pay television]] channel owned by [[Sun TV Network]]. It was launched on 14 April 1993. It is the flagship channel of the [[Chennai]]-based [[media conglomerate]] [[SUN Group|Sun Group's]] [[Sun TV Network]]. It was founded and is owned by [[Kalanithi Maran]].<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>
 
It started airing on open network (Antenna) on 14 July 2002 at the time of "Majunu" Tamil movie premiering. Then it was removed from this open network on 2005. It was also removed from free on 9 November 2007. Sun TV launched its HD version on 11 December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bseindia.com/corporates/anndet_new.aspx?newsid=af1b67fd-3e02-4933-8806-54fc2be189ea|title=Sun TV HD launched|access-date=28 November 2015|publisher=bseindia.com}}</ref>
 
Since its inception, the channel consistently remains the top rated Tamil channel and one of the top rated Indian television channel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The amazing rise of Sun TV|url=https://m.rediff.com/money/2006/apr/04sun.htm|website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Sun group bets big on second channel to take on competition|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/sun-group-bets-big-on-second-channel-to-take-on-competition/article25281455.ece|website=The Hindu|date=22 October 2018|last1=Vijayakumar|first1=Sanjay|last2=Kandavel|first2=Sangeetha}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WEEK 44 - DATA: Week 44: Saturday, 30th October 2021 To Friday, 5th November 2021|url=https://www.barcindia.co.in/data-insights|url-status=live|access-date=16 November 2021|website=[[Broadcast Audience Research Council]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116174716/https://www.barcindia.co.in/data-insights|archive-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>
 
On 2 October 2025, the entire Sun TV network, including Sun TV itself, has officially renewed their channel logo for the first time in over three decades of operations. The new logo was later appeared on 1 February 2026.{{citation needed|date=February 2026}}


==History==
==History==
Sun TV is the flagship channel of [[Sun Group]] started on the [[Puthandu|Tamil New Year]] 14 April 1993.<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><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2009/1130/india-richest-09-maran-sun-television-strong-signal.html |title=Strong Signal |work=Forbes |date=30 November 2009 |access-date=8 August 2010 |first=Naazneen |last=Karmali}}</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 |publisher=Rediff.com |access-date=24 January 2012}}</ref>
Kalanithi Maran has been interested in television since his trip to the United States where he did an MBA at the [[University of Scranton]] in the mid-1980s. At the time, Doordarshan controlled the entirety of India's television landscape. Upon returning, he had plans to set up a television channel, but the plans were thwarted by the ongoing monopoly and the lack of liberalisation of the sector.<ref name="strongsignal">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2009/1130/india-richest-09-maran-sun-television-strong-signal.html |title=Strong Signal |work=Forbes |date=30 November 2009 |access-date=8 August 2010 |first=Naazneen |last=Karmali |archive-date=29 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829105224/http://www.forbes.com/global/2009/1130/india-richest-09-maran-sun-television-strong-signal.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Sun TV is the flagship channel of [[Sun TV Network]] which started on the [[Puthandu|Tamil New Year]], 14 April 1993.<ref name="History"/><ref name="strongsignal"/><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>
 
It started off with a four and a half hour programming per day on a time sharing agreement with [[Asia Television Network|ATN]], India's first independent television channel, having rejected a proposal for an afternoon slot on [[Zee TV]].<ref name="kalanithi">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/kalanithi-maran-sun-tv-the-evolution-180424 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426144038/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/kalanithi-maran-sun-tv-the-evolution-180424 |url-status=live |archive-date=26 April 2018 |title=Kalanithi Maran, Sun TV: the evolution |date=24 April 2018 |access-date=9 February 2024|publisher=Indian Television }}</ref> In January 1997, it started 24-hour broadcasts.
 
In 1995, it signed an agreement with ST Teleport in [[Singapore]] to provide uplink.<ref>{{cite news |title=ST Teleport to double number of satellites as demand grows |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950428-1.2.78 |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=28 April 1995}}</ref> [[StarHub TV|Singapore Cable Vision]] added the channel on 1 October 1996.<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960925-1.2.19.1 |access-date=26 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=25 September 1996}}</ref>


It started off with a four and a half hour programming per day on a time sharing agreement with [[ATN]]. However, in January 1995 it became 24 hours programming channel.
Sun TV went to become one of the most profitable television channels in India, considering that, as late as 2009, one third of households in India with television sets were in Tamil Nadu and adjacent states.<ref name="strongsignal"/> Sun TV was listed on the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]] on 24 April 2006 upon raising $133 million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bharatan |first=Shilpa |url=https://variety.com/2006/tv/news/sun-tv-looks-to-raise-coin-with-ipo-1117940460/ |title=Variety.com, Monday, April 24, 2006, 6:36pm PT – Sun TV shines on Exchange |work=Variety |date=27 March 2006 |access-date=24 January 2012}}</ref> It is the most viewed Tamil television channel in the world with syndicated broadcasts in several countries such as the United States, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Qatar, Hong Kong, Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Ireland) and other countries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ram|first=Arun|title=Karunanidhis pull out of Sun TV|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_karunanidhis-pull-out-of-sun-tv_8839|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=7 November 2005}}</ref> In October 2009, Sun TV's network of channels had a sum of 21 programmes among the 100 most watched; more than 16 shows came from the Zee network.<ref name="strongsignal"/>


Sun TV was listed on the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]] on 24 April 2006 upon raising $133 million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bharatan |first=Shilpa |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117940460.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 |title=Variety.com, Monday, April 24, 2006, 6:36pm PT – Sun TV shines on Exchange |work=Variety |date=27 March 2006 |access-date=24 January 2012}}</ref> It is the most viewed Tamil television channel in the world with syndicated broadcasts in several countries such as the United States, United Arab Emirates,  Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Qatar, Hong Kong, Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Ireland) and other countries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ram|first=Arun|title=Karunanidhis pull out of Sun TV|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_karunanidhis-pull-out-of-sun-tv_8839|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=7 November 2005}}</ref>
Network18 Group has 50% dealing distribution with Sun TV Network, which led them to make Sun18. In July 2010, with the creation of Sun18, Sun TV Network became responsible for the South Indian market, while Network18 was responsible for the North Indian market.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 July 2010 |title=Network18, Sun form distribution JV |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/content/network18-sun-form-distribution-jv |access-date=19 October 2022 |website=Indiantelevision.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2010-07-13 |title=Sun Network ties up with Network18 to form Sun18 |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Sun-Network-ties-up-with-Network18-to-form-Sun18/article16195437.ece |access-date=2022-10-19 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
Line 80: Line 55:
Rowdy baby- Every Sunday 1pm
Rowdy baby- Every Sunday 1pm
Masterchef Tamil - Every Sunday 2pm}}
Masterchef Tamil - Every Sunday 2pm}}
== Scandal ==
On 8 December 2013, the [[2013 Little India riot|Little India Riot]] broke out at [[Singapore]]. On 9 December 2013, Sun TV made a false news report on the riot saying that the deceased was pushed out of the bus by the driver, as well as attacked by locals. Lim Thuan Kuan, Singapore's High Commissioner to India, protest against the false report. As a result, Sun TV issued a correction the following day and apologized for the error.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramesh |first=S |date=11 December 2013 |title=Sun TV apologises for incorrect news report on Little India riot |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sun-tv-says-correct/918866.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214004913/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sun-tv-says-correct/918866.html |archive-date=14 December 2013}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Sun TV also hosts numerous film-industry–related events in [[Tamil Nadu]] and the [[Sun Kudumbam Awards]] ceremony biannually.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharma|first=Kishore|title=Karunanidhi pull out of Sun TV|url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news/newsfullstory.php?id=1131413216|publisher=Televisionpoint.com |date=8 November 2005}}</ref>
Sun TV also hosts numerous film-industry–related events in [[Tamil Nadu]] and the [[Sun Kudumbam Awards 2010|Sun Kudumbam Awards]] ceremony biannually.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharma|first=Kishore|title=Karunanidhi pull out of Sun TV|url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news/newsfullstory.php?id=1131413216|publisher=Televisionpoint.com |date=8 November 2005}}</ref>
 
==Sister channels==
===KTV===
{{Main article|KTV (India)}}
 
'''KTV''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language movie [[pay television]] channel owned by [[Sun TV Network]], broadcasting [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language films. It was launched on 22 October 2001.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pande |first=Shamni |title=Sun Network flexes muscles; to launch KTV channel on October 22 |url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/3368_Sun-Network-flexes-muscles;-to-launch-KTV-channel-on-October-22 |access-date=4 April 2014 |work=afaqs.com |publisher=agencyfaqs!}}</ref>
 
===Sun Music===
[[File:Sun Music Logo 2026.png|thumb|logo in use since 2026]]
'''Sun Music''' is India's first [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language music [[pay television]] channel owned by [[Sun TV Network]]. It was launched on 5 September 2004. Its HD counterpart was launched on 11 December 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BSEINDIA |url=https://www.bseindia.com/corporates/anndet_new.aspx?newsid=af1b67fd-3e02-4933-8806-54fc2be189ea |website=www.bseindia.com}}</ref>


=== Sun News ===
'''Sun News''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language news [[pay television]] channel owned by [[Sun TV Network]], headquartered at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was launched in May 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Sun TV Network Ltd., Company |url=https://www.goodreturns.in/company/sun-tv-network/history.html#1771871400 |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=Goodreturn |language=en}}</ref>


==[[Over-the-top media service|OTT]]==
===Chutti TV===
===''Digital Platform''===
{{Main article|Chutti TV}}


*[[Sun NXT]][https://www.sunnxt.com]
'''Chutti TV''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language kids [[pay television]] channel from the [[Sun TV Network]] in [[India]]. The [[target audience]] are children aged between 3 and 17. It was launched on 29 April 2007, making it Sun TV Network's first ever television channel for kids.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 2015 |title=Chutti TV airs the first motion capture game show in Tamil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/Chutti-TV-airs-the-first-motion-capture-game-show-in-Tamil/articleshow/47498408.cms |access-date=2019-08-17 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>


===Adithya TV===
{{Main article|Adithya TV}}


==Follow==
'''Adithya TV''' is a channel dedicated to comedy. It mainly airs comedy segments from Tamil films.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 22, 2014 |title=Adithya TV launches comedy tour |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/adithya-tv-launches-comedy-tour/articleshow/45600284.cms |access-date=2026-02-21 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
=== [[Social Media]]===
*[[YouTube]][https://youtube.com/c/suntv]
*[[Instagram]][https://www.instagram.com/suntv]
*[[Twitter]] [https://www.twitter.com/SunTV]
*[[Facebook]][https://www.instagram.com/SunTv]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|3}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{official}}
{{official website}}


{{Sun Group}}
{{Sun Group}}
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[[Category:Indian companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]
{{India-company-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:12, 28 March 2026


Sun TV
Logo used since 2026
CountryIndia
Broadcast areaWorldwide
NetworkSun TV Network
HeadquartersChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Programming
Language(s)Tamil
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerSun Group
Sister channelsSee List of channels owned by Sun TV Network
History
Launched14 April 1993; 33 years ago (1993-04-14)[1]
Links
WebsiteSun TV
Availability
Terrestrial
Malaysia AstroChannel 215 (HD)
Malaysia NJOIChannel 215 (HD)
Streaming media
Sun NXT (India)Sun TV
Malaysia AstroAstro Go / On Demand

Sun TV is an Indian Tamil-language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Sun TV Network. It was launched on 14 April 1993. It is the flagship channel of the Chennai-based media conglomerate Sun Group's Sun TV Network. It was founded and is owned by Kalanithi Maran.[2]

It started airing on open network (Antenna) on 14 July 2002 at the time of "Majunu" Tamil movie premiering. Then it was removed from this open network on 2005. It was also removed from free on 9 November 2007. Sun TV launched its HD version on 11 December 2011.[3]

Since its inception, the channel consistently remains the top rated Tamil channel and one of the top rated Indian television channel.[4][5][6]

On 2 October 2025, the entire Sun TV network, including Sun TV itself, has officially renewed their channel logo for the first time in over three decades of operations. The new logo was later appeared on 1 February 2026.[citation needed]

History[edit | edit source]

Kalanithi Maran has been interested in television since his trip to the United States where he did an MBA at the University of Scranton in the mid-1980s. At the time, Doordarshan controlled the entirety of India's television landscape. Upon returning, he had plans to set up a television channel, but the plans were thwarted by the ongoing monopoly and the lack of liberalisation of the sector.[7]

Sun TV is the flagship channel of Sun TV Network which started on the Tamil New Year, 14 April 1993.[1][7][8]

It started off with a four and a half hour programming per day on a time sharing agreement with ATN, India's first independent television channel, having rejected a proposal for an afternoon slot on Zee TV.[9] In January 1997, it started 24-hour broadcasts.

In 1995, it signed an agreement with ST Teleport in Singapore to provide uplink.[10] Singapore Cable Vision added the channel on 1 October 1996.[11]

Sun TV went to become one of the most profitable television channels in India, considering that, as late as 2009, one third of households in India with television sets were in Tamil Nadu and adjacent states.[7] Sun TV was listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange on 24 April 2006 upon raising $133 million.[12] It is the most viewed Tamil television channel in the world with syndicated broadcasts in several countries such as the United States, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Qatar, Hong Kong, Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Ireland) and other countries.[13] In October 2009, Sun TV's network of channels had a sum of 21 programmes among the 100 most watched; more than 16 shows came from the Zee network.[7]

Network18 Group has 50% dealing distribution with Sun TV Network, which led them to make Sun18. In July 2010, with the creation of Sun18, Sun TV Network became responsible for the South Indian market, while Network18 was responsible for the North Indian market.[14][15]

Programming[edit | edit source]

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Sun TV (India)

Scandal[edit | edit source]

On 8 December 2013, the Little India Riot broke out at Singapore. On 9 December 2013, Sun TV made a false news report on the riot saying that the deceased was pushed out of the bus by the driver, as well as attacked by locals. Lim Thuan Kuan, Singapore's High Commissioner to India, protest against the false report. As a result, Sun TV issued a correction the following day and apologized for the error.[16]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Sun TV also hosts numerous film-industry–related events in Tamil Nadu and the Sun Kudumbam Awards ceremony biannually.[17]

Sister channels[edit | edit source]

KTV[edit | edit source]

Main article: KTV (India)

KTV is an Indian Tamil language movie pay television channel owned by Sun TV Network, broadcasting Tamil language films. It was launched on 22 October 2001.[18]

Sun Music[edit | edit source]

logo in use since 2026

Sun Music is India's first Tamil language music pay television channel owned by Sun TV Network. It was launched on 5 September 2004. Its HD counterpart was launched on 11 December 2011.[19]

Sun News[edit | edit source]

Sun News is an Indian Tamil language news pay television channel owned by Sun TV Network, headquartered at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was launched in May 2000.[20]

Chutti TV[edit | edit source]

Main article: Chutti TV

Chutti TV is an Indian Tamil language kids pay television channel from the Sun TV Network in India. The target audience are children aged between 3 and 17. It was launched on 29 April 2007, making it Sun TV Network's first ever television channel for kids.[21]

Adithya TV[edit | edit source]

Main article: Adithya TV

Adithya TV is a channel dedicated to comedy. It mainly airs comedy segments from Tamil films.[22]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sun TV Network Ltd". The Economic Times. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Menon, Jaya (8 November 2005). "Karunanidhi wife pulls out stake in Sun TV". The Indian Express.
  3. ↑ "Sun TV HD launched". bseindia.com. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "The amazing rise of Sun TV". Rediff.com.
  5. ↑ Vijayakumar, Sanjay; Kandavel, Sangeetha (22 October 2018). "Sun group bets big on second channel to take on competition". The Hindu.
  6. ↑ "WEEK 44 - DATA: Week 44: Saturday, 30th October 2021 To Friday, 5th November 2021". Broadcast Audience Research Council. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Karmali, Naazneen (30 November 2009). "Strong Signal". Forbes. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  8. ↑ "Rediff India Abroad, April 28, 2006 – Kalanithi Maran: A 'Sunshine' story, by Sanjiv Shankaran and S. Bridget Leena in New Delhi". Rediff.com. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Kalanithi Maran, Sun TV: the evolution". Indian Television. 24 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ↑ "ST Teleport to double number of satellites as demand grows". The Straits Times. 28 April 1995. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Page 11 Advertisements Column 1". The Straits Times. 25 September 1996. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  12. ↑ Bharatan, Shilpa (27 March 2006). "Variety.com, Monday, April 24, 2006, 6:36pm PT – Sun TV shines on Exchange". Variety. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  13. ↑ Ram, Arun (7 November 2005). "Karunanidhis pull out of Sun TV". Daily News and Analysis.
  14. ↑ "Network18, Sun form distribution JV". Indiantelevision.com. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Sun Network ties up with Network18 to form Sun18". The Hindu. 13 July 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  16. ↑ Ramesh, S (11 December 2013). "Sun TV apologises for incorrect news report on Little India riot". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  17. ↑ Sharma, Kishore (8 November 2005). "Karunanidhi pull out of Sun TV". Televisionpoint.com.
  18. ↑ Pande, Shamni. "Sun Network flexes muscles; to launch KTV channel on October 22". afaqs.com. agencyfaqs!. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "BSEINDIA". www.bseindia.com.
  20. ↑ "History of Sun TV Network Ltd., Company". Goodreturn. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "Chutti TV airs the first motion capture game show in Tamil". The Times of India. June 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  22. ↑ "Adithya TV launches comedy tour". The Times of India. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2026.

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