Nethra TV
| Country | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sri Lanka |
| Network | Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation |
| Headquarters | Chavakachcheri, Jaffna[1] |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Tamil |
| Picture format | 576i 4:3 (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Government of Sri Lanka |
| History | |
| Launched | 5 January 2008 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
Nethra TV (Tamil: நேத்ரா TV) is an terrestrial (free-to-air) television channel in Sri Lanka operated by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. A Tamil-language channel, the channel is based in Colombo.[2] Nethra TV's unit is also responsible for the production of Rupavahini's Muslim programming.[3]
History
Tamil programming was carried on Rupavahini's main channel since the beginning and in the 2000s on Channel Eye. In January 2008, using Channel Eye's frequencies, Nethra TV started operating on a timeshare basis, between 6:30 am and 9 pm.[4] The new channel opened on 5 January 2008 with the first programme being the inter-religious programme Talk For the Day. The 7 pm Tamil Rupavahini News bulletin, which was already on Channel Eye, was now under Nethra TV's schedule.[5] The launch of the channel was also marked by a special ceremony. Its first head was S. Vishvakanthan.[6]
In 2017, the SLRC was planning a separate building for a new version of Nethra TV, under the tagline of the "Reconciliation Channel", with its facilities in Jaffna in the north of the country. A separate frequency was also granted.[1] Nethra TV as a standalone channel started broadcasting on 20 February 2018; its launch was presided by President Maithripala Sirisena.[7] The Japanese government also donated 449 educational television programmes at a cost of Rs 73.6 million, dubbed in Tamil per a Rs 42.7 million grant.[8] The upgraded service raised doubts about its intended audience, as Tamils in the south were unable to understand its contents, as well as Tamil youth adopting Western cultural norms. Others suggested that the standalone version of the channel helped rekindle interest in Tamil culture.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Vesting of a land to construct a Studio Complex in the Northern Province for the Reconciliation Channel". Office of the Cabinet of Ministers, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "The green stunners are here". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
- ^ "Rupavahini Annual Report" (PDF). Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "'Nethra' opens". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 20 January 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Eye Schedule 04th January 2008 to 18th January 2008". Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Archived from the original on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Rupavahini unveils 'Nethra tv'". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 22 January 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "SLRC's Reconciliation Channel launched". On Lanka. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Japanese TV programs dubbed into Tamil to be telecasted on Reconciliation Channel (Nethra TV)". Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Doubts over the new TV reconciliation channel because only Tamil can understand it". PIME Asia News. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2024.