10TV
10TV (Telugu)
CountryIndia
Network10TV
HeadquartersHyderabad, Telangana, India
Programming
Language(s)Telugu
Picture format4:3/16:9 576i, SDTV
1080i (HDTV)
(downscaled to 720p locally in some markets)
Ownership
OwnerSpoorthi Communications Pvt. Ltd.
History
Launched16 March 2013

10TV is an Indian Telugu-language 24-hour news channel focused on the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It was launched on 16 March 2013[1] with the backing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM).[2][3] The channel was funded through crowdfunding from various affiliated associations and unions of CPM.[4][5] It was marketed as an independent channel with a co-operative type ownership, free from the influences of big businesses. In 2018, there was a change in the ownership of the channel. It was reportedly bought by business houses close to some politicians.[2]

History

The holding company of 10TV, Spoorthi Communications Private Limited, was incorporated in May 2012.[6][7] By December 2012, it had decided to extend its reach to six districts of Orissa and five districts of Karnataka which also have a substantial Telugu population besides its primary market, Andhra Pradesh.[8] 10TV earmarked close to ₹4 crore for marketing in the launch phase. It planned to put up 300 hoardings across Andhra Pradesh and a few in Orissa and Karnataka. Tie ups with five radio channels were also planned to increase awareness about the channel before its launch.[8]

It was noted that the name 10TV was chosen strategically, for it to be the first channel to appear in the Telugu news genre in an alphabetical order of channel placement.[8]

Kiran Kumar Reddy, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh unveiled the logo of the channel on 14 December 2012.[5] At the logo launch event, the managing director of the channel, K. Venugopal described it as a co-operative venture of 1.65 lakh people, with each person contributing ₹2,000–4000.[5] The tagline of the channel is 'News is People'.[9]

10TV was launched on 16 March 2013 in Hyderabad.[1] It was reported that ₹30–60 crore was invested into the channel, with an operational breakeven target of two to three years.[10][11][8] 10TV was marketed as an independent channel with a co-operative type ownership free from the influences of big businesses.[11][10] K. Nageswar, a journalism professor and an independent member of the state Legislative Council known for his Marxist views, was the first chairman of the channel.[5][11] Arun Sagar was its initial CEO.[1][8]

The channel faced problems in managing recurring expenses for a 24-hour news channel. It also struggled to get enough advertising.[4] In 2018, it changed hands and was bought by business houses close to some politicians.[2]

Ownership

Spoorthi Communications Private Limited is the holding company of the channel.[12][8][2] 10TV was started with the backing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM).[4][2][3] Prior to its launch, the channel was claimed to be an independent entity, outside the domain of CPM .[9][11] It was funded through crowdfunding from various affiliated associations and unions of CPM.[4][13][11] CPM leader Tammineni Veerabhadram organised the funding.[9][13]

As per reports, 1.65–2 lakh people invested in the channel, with each person contributing ₹500–4,000.[5][11][10] Teachers, and banking and insurance sector employees were said to be among the most enthusiastic investors.[11] A few hundred daily labourers and Anganwadi workers were also among the shareholders.[10] The shareholders had elected a board of directors which, in turn, appointed a news team. The management touted this as an alternate model to the ownership of media companies by big businesses. The shareholders can also be used as citizen journalists and as marketers for the channel.[11] Reportedly, ₹30–60 crore was invested into the channel before its launch.[11][10]

Change in ownership

In August 2018, Times of India reported that there was a change in the ownership of the channel.[2] While there were unverified reports of Jupally Rameswar Rao and Nimmagadda Prasad buying the channel, then CEO Gottipati Singa Rao denied those reports. Singa Rao claimed that he along with other investors acquired shares in the company and there were no politicians among the investors.[2]

Programming

10TV aired a programme titled 'Bakasura', where a presenter dressed in the Bakasura attire goes to places where land is being encroached by political leaders, and discusses the topic.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Telugu news channel '10TV' launched". The Hindu. 16 March 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Chatterjee, Mohua; U, Sudhakar Reddy (24 August 2018). "Tycoons with political links taking over news channels in Andhra, Telangana". Times of India. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 Desai, Mira K. (21 November 2021). Regional Language Television in India: Profiles and Perspectives. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-47008-6.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Shaw, Padmaja (13 April 2017). "Who wants to own Telugu news channels?". The Hoot. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "New TV news channel launched". The Hindu. 15 December 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Spoorthi Communications Private Limited - Company Details". The Company Check. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Spoorthi Communications Private Limited - Company Profile". Tofler. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Upcoming Telugu news channel 10TV to extend reach to Orissa, Karnataka". afaqs!. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 "CPM's 10TV flush with funds!". AP News Live. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 7 August 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Raju, Prudhvi (22 March 2013). "This new Telugu channel is for people, by people". Postnoon. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jayaram, P. S. (16 December 2012). "People's channel out to make a difference". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  12. ↑ "About Us". 10TV.in (in Telugu). Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  13. 1 2 "All you wanted to know about who owns the South Indian news channels you watch". The News Minute. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
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