Date:15/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/15/stories/2004091501251900.htm

Back Jaya TV lines up new programmes

Sriram Srinivasan

Chennai , Sept. 14

JAYA TV has decided to air a dubbed English movie every week and launch a slew of new programmes, including a reality show hosted by actress Lakshmi, as it goes for a content makeover.

Mr K. Balaswaminathan, Vice-President (Marketing), said that the channel has acquired the rights for over 50 English movies such as Anaconda and Cliffhanger, which will be aired on Saturday nights. Actress Lakshmi, who hosted Vijay TV's popular reality show, Kathai Alla Nijam, will don a similar role in a Jaya TV programme slotted for weekday afternoons.

Apart from a sitcom and film-based programmes, the channel is launching a game show, encouraged by the success of Jackpot, which is aired on Sundays.

According to Mr Balaswaminathan, Jackpot, hosted by actress Khushboo, is Jaya TV's highest-rated programme. While it will continue to run, the new game show is slotted for Saturday; it may also be hosted by a film personality.

Jaya TV, which for the better part of the past year has been occupying a distant No 2 spot after Sun TV in the Tamil general entertainment genre, considers the makeover essential to increase its viewership.

The changes will be effected from September 19. Mr Balaswaminathan said that the channel is conducting an outdoor teaser campaign in all cities and towns of Tamil Nadu to announce the revamp.