Sun Network acquires Indian Cable Net

Sun Network, the second largest television network in India, is in the final stages of negotiations to acquire the Kolkata-based multi-system operator, Indian Cable Net (formerly called RPG Netcom).

This comes in the wake of its plans to launch a Bengali channel called Surjo- its first foray outside South India.

Kalanidhi Maran, chairman, Sun Network, confirmed to Business Standard that they were in the final stages of negotiations with Indian Cable Net. He declined to comment on the price and details of the deal.

Industry experts tracking the industry say it is advantageous for a television network to own a mutli-system operation as this enables it to distribute its channels. Sun Network, promoter of Sumangali Cable Vision, enjoys a dominant marketshare in Tamil Nadu.

The television network gets an edge by operating an MSO as it enables better placement of channels and ensures that it reaches wider audiences. This is a crucial reason for Sun Network to work on acquiring Indian Cable Net.

Sun Network has 12 channels in all the southern languages and four FM radios plans to enter the print media according to information provided in its website.

Barring Malayalam, it has news channels in other three southern languages. It is has three channels each in Kanada and Telegu, respectively.

They are Udaya TV, Udaya News, Ushe and Teja TV, Teja News and Gemini TV respectively. Four channels in Tamil, namely, Sun TV, Sun News, KTV -movie channel, and Sun Music. It has two channels in Malayalam called Surya and Kiran.