Star TV is one of the most popular television channels in India. This private channel has its base in Hong Kong with its programming offices in India and Australia as well as in other south Asian Countries. It is an Asian TV service owned by the founder Rupert Murdoch`s News Corporation. According to their official report the STAR service has more than 300 million viewers in 54 countries and is regularly viewed by 100 million viewers approximately. After Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., the publisher of Times of India, STAR has emerged as India`s second-largest media company. In the year 1990, the company was launched as part of Hutchison Whampoa group. Launch of Star TV led to the explosive growth in the media industry across the entire region.
In the recent time STAR broadcasts over 60 services in nine languages and offers a range of entertainment, sports and other programmes. STAR plus is considered as one of India`s most popular Hindi General Entertainment Channel. When it launched in 1991, it was one of the five original STAR TV channels. For six years, it stood as India`s best cable channel. Star Plus regularly features the top 40 programmes every week on Indian cable television. It is a news corporation company. Star Gold is a part of the STAR TV networks and a Hindi movie channel. It features a mix of contemporary as well as classic movies from the 1950s to the present time. STAR Gold possesses one of the largest Indian film libraries enabling it to offer a wide variety of films for the entire family.
Star One, launched on November 1, 2004, is considered as the contemporary generation of Hindi entertainment channel which has various amalgamations of programming; an innovational, and cutting edge production values, targeted to the urban, upwardly mobile Indian audiences. This channel exaggerates a lay out of original programmes across a range of entertainment genres like comedy, drama, action, thriller, youth, lifestyle and game shows, as well as the original one made for television movies. It has gained popularity with shows like Nach Baliye and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.
Channel [V] is Asia`s initiator of a trend or trend setting music channel. It broadcasts the latest chart-topping music videos, music stars with popular VJ s. Its programming, packaging are made locally and presenters ascertain [V] of reflecting the tastes and attitudes of its huge youth audience. The Channel in India also features a range of successful reality-based talent quest shows including [V] Get Gorgeous, [V] Super Singer and [V] Popstars. In many countries around Australasia, Asia and the Middle East, Channel [V] is aired. This channel is owned by Star TV. With some focus on local music Channel [V] plays both mainstream and alternative music. For the most part English-language music is played.
Star Utsav is a free-to-air Hindi general entertainment channel. The channel brings the best of Hindi programming to millions across India. Most popular programmes such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay from episode one were the features of STAR PLUS were shown in the channel.
Other energising programming includes comedies, thrillers, cookery, kids` shows, mythological and game shows, as well as Bollywood films. The channel extends to the smallest of towns and rural areas where Star TV can not reach. Star Cricket channel is entirely dedicated to showcase sports activities, especially cricket from around the globe. Live and non-live international and regional cricket events are broadcasted by STAR cricket. In a meticulous manner as well as the programming also customized for the Indian audiences, including cricket news update, magazine and reality shows. Star Cricket is considered as the one stop destination of all the cricket action, history, updates, views and reviews. STAR Cricket is a 24 hour cricket channel and the part of the ESPN-STAR network. Its target audience is mainly Indian.
Star Vijay is the most popular Tamil entertainment channels in India. Star Vijay programming is custom-made to cater to the classifiable culture of Tamil Nadu, and with advanced programmes in a variety of genres including talent hunts, music shows, sitcoms, thrillers, reality shows as well as dramas has been making waves. Its targeted audience is a mix of content, not limited to mega serials and soaps like other Tamil channels.
Star world is an English language channel. Star Movies channel features movies from American film companies such as Disney, 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Miramax Films, MGM, Universal Pictures, Canal Plus and other movie distributors. STAR Movies is owned by STAR TV and an Asian movie channel. Star Sports is owned by STAR TV and a cable sports network. It features sports programs. Its corporate name is ESPN STAR Sports as it has partnership with ESPN. The official Asian station of the English Premier League is Star sports. STAR News, the Hindi-language News channel of STAR Group India, is the channel that presents a mix of rolling news bulletins and specialised shows covering topics from crime to Cricket. A TV Guide for STAR Plus, STAR News and Channel V India are also broadcasted by them.
Star Ananda is a regional 24-hour comprehensive news Channel in the Bengali language, which features West Bengal local news and national news in India in quick-paced half-hour bulletins and coverage in crime, politics, lifestyle, sports and films. Star Majha is a new leading national Marathi news channel that delivers 24-hour Maharashtra local and national news in India. ESPN channel brings viewers the most exciting sports action in Asia from around the world. A blend of regional and international programming of the channels ensures the most comprehensive sports coverage. ESPN also features international as well as regional sports events and over the next five years more cricket than any other television channel.
History Channel reaches more than 200 million viewers in 70 countries. The Channel is versioned in 20 languages. It is the only international television network mainly devoted to historical programming. National Geographic Channel demonstrates the excursions of dynamic and dedicated explorers, filmmakers, and researchers on assignment around the world. The channel engages, educates and venerations audiences with obligating stories and stunning hallmark images. One National Geographic Channel is there only. Nat Geo Adventure owned by Star, offers bold, high affect and agitating programmes that release the enlivened adventurer in all of us.
Rupert Murdoch`s huge News Corporation stands behind STAR-TV in India, giving it certain financial advantages in competing with Zee-TV and other Indian-owned television networks. In regards to financial resources, STAR-TV has a big advantage. Executives at STAR-TV have a free hand in developing indigenous programs in India, the parent Media Company provides production techniques, consulting, and finances. In 2000, STAR-TV`s hit program `Kaun Banega Crorepati?` attracted a record audience of 100 million cable viewers. Thus, STAR-TV has emerged as a major force on Indian television.