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New Malayalam channel to go on air from Aug 17

Our Bureau

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Aug 12

KAIRALI, the new Malayalam language channel scheduled to go on air from August 17 (the Malayalam new year), will have beaten its peers with a range of technological sophistry and technical wizardry it claims it has marshalled.

Kairali would be the first private Malayalam channel to uplink from within the geographical limits of the State. The VSNL earth station and assorted facilities at Kakkanad in suburban Kochi will be made use of in this connection. "This would ensure a ric h regional flavour to the programme content", according to Mr. P. A. Sidhartha Menon, Executive Director, Malayalam Communications, promoters of the channel.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said the channel would employ what is known as the clip-mail system - the first South Indian channel to be doing so - wherein the video clippings could be carried over telephone cables, thus facilitating speedy and effect ive transmission of news visuals. To start with, there would be three news bulletins everyday. Smaller hourly editions were also being planned.

The channel would use Rs. 7-crore-worth of modern equipment, some of which have been imported from Sony, Hong Kong. These included digital Beta SX cameras, which Mr. Menon claimed were being used for the first time by an Indian channel, and the latest DS R 300-A cameras for news photography.

The channel will be formally inaugurated at a gala function to be held here on August 16 which will be telecast live. The regular, 24-hour transmission will start from the next day.

The inaugural show will feature 3,000 artistes. A host of celebrities from different parts of the country, including the reigning Miss World, Yukta Mookhey, are expected to attend. A laser show, to be staged on a 400 ft platform, will add colour to the s how.

The technical details of the transmission are as follows: 3447 m hz; 83 degree east; polarisation vertical. Originally christened Malayalam, the channel had to change the nomenclature following directions from the Union Information and Broadcasting Minis try.

The authorised equity capital of the channel has been raised from Rs. 50 crores to Rs. 75 crores. The issue is still open for private placement with individuals, groups and institutions. The company is expected to break even by the end of the second year , according to him.