Indian Television Conglomerates/ Networks

INX Network
9x
9xm
News X

Network 18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network18#Network_TV_Channels
CNN IBN
IBN 7
CNBC Awaaz
CNBC TV18
IBN Lokmat
MTV India
Nick India
VH1 India
Colors
Home shop 18

SUN Network http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Network#Channels
Sun TV Tamil Entertainment Channel KTV Tamil Movie ChannelSun Music Tamil Music ChannelSun News Tamil News ChannelChutti TV Tamil Kids ChannelAdithya TV Tamil Comedy ChannelComedy Thirai Tamil Comedy Channel(DTH)Udaya TV Kannada Entertainment Channel Udaya Movies Kannada Movie ChannelU 2 Kannada Music ChannelUdaya Varthegalu Kannada Documentary ChannelChintu TV Kannada Kids ChannelUshe TV Kannada Comedy ChannelHaasya Tere Kannada Comedy Channel(DTH)Gemini TV Telugu Entertainment Channel Teja TV Telugu Movie ChannelGemini Music Telugu Music ChannelGemini News Telugu News ChannelGCV Telugu Comedy Channelkushi tv Telugu Kids ChannelNavulla Tera Telugu Commedy Channel(DTH)Surya TV Malayalam Entertainment Channel Kiran TV Malayalam Music ChannelKochu TV Malayalam Kids ChannelChiri Thirai Malayalam Comedy Channel(DTH)

ETV http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETV_Network_(India)
ETV Telugu

ETV 2

ETV Bangla

ETV Bihar

ETV Gujarati

ETV Kannada

ETV Madhya Pradesh

ETV Marathi

ETV Odia

ETV Rajasthan

ETV Urdu

ETV Uttar Pradesh

ZEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zee_Network#Channels
Zee TV - Hindi General Entertainment Channel and Flagship stationZee Next - New Hindi General Entertainment ChannelZee Cinema - Hindi Movie ChannelZing - Hindi Music ChannelZee Sports - A Sports ChannelTEN Sports - 50% in the Sports ChannelZee Premiere - Hindi New Movie ChannelZee Action - Hindi Action Movie ChannelZee Classic - Hindi Old Movie ChannelZee Smile - Hindi Comedy ChannelZee Jagran - Hindi Religious ChannelZee Trendz - A Fashion ChannelZee Café - English General Entertainment ChannelZee Studio - English Movie ChannelZee Aflam - Hindi Movie Channel with Arabic SubtitlesZee News - Hindi News ChannelZee Business - Hindi Business ChannelZee Telugu - Telugu General Entertainment ChannelZee 24 Ghantalu - Telugu News ChannelZee Bangla - Bengali General Entertainment ChannelZee Kannada - Kannada General Entertainment ChannelZee Marathi - Marathi General Entertainment ChannelZee Tamil - Tamil General Entertainment ChannelZee 24 Taas - Marathi news channel24 Ghanta - Bengali news channel

STAR http://www.startv.com/rde/startv/india_channels.htm
Asianet

ASIANET PLUS

Channel [V]

ESPN

Sitara

STAR ANANDA

STAR CRICKET

STAR GOLD

STAR JALSHA

STAR MAJHA

STAR MOVIES

STAR NEWS

STAR ONE

STAR PRAVAH

STAR SPORTS

STAR UTSAV

STAR World

Suvarna Kannada entertainment channel.

VIJAY Tamil entertainment channel.
NDTV http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDTV#NDTV_Channels
NDTV 24x7

NDTV India

NDTV Profit

NDTV Imagine

NDTV Imagine Showbiz

NDTV Lumiere

NDTV Good Times

NDTV MetroNation

NDTV Arabia

ACTVE Cooking

UTV http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTV_Software_Communications#Broadcasting
Bindass
Bindass Movies
UTVi
UTV Movies
UTV World Movies

NTV
NTV Telugu
Vanitha TV
Bhakti TV

India... Hmmm!!

It has been 10 days since I arrived at Vijayawada, after cleaning up my base in SF Bay Area to making a permanent move back to India. I've been away from home for about 12 years now, 8 of them abroad. For days leading to my departure and few days after, I was expecting the big move to hit me and either make me feel excited about the new opportunity or feel dejected with some kind of buyer's remorse. But, the hit never came. I continue to feel nothing. It feels just like any other day.

I am glad.. that Chiru lost!!

Yes.. I supported him because he is a honest person who want to serve his people.

But, I'm happy that his party's politics didn't work. I hope he would now stay with the people and create a grass roots movement with a clear agenda and conviction and not rely on his charm or caste equations or political calculations.

Oversight and Regulation!!

Oversight is like Highway Patrol - Sit on the pavement at a random location with your radar gun. This requires very few resources and works really well.

Regulation is like TSA - manually scanning every person and carry on baggage before letting a person into a flight. This is a tremendous strain on resources and slows down everything costing time and money.

Even in the freest of markets, there is a need for checks and balances. There are areas where Govt. has to use oversight and there might be areas where Govt. should regulate. But it is important to use the right tools for each situation and avoid choking the economy. We can only hope the right calls are being made.

Now... I am confused!!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Harry Truman Was Not a War Criminal
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

I never can understand where the line is drawn...

the same Pro-Life people who goes all the way to extend Terry Schiavo's life, defend going to war in Iraq, which would obviously cost lifes...

the same Pro-Rights people who goes all the way to condemn torture of a few captured terrorists, support troops to Afghan and support a decision to use a nuclear weapon...

Daily Show's hidden agenda??

Daily Show covered France and Sweden and in a very positive light, in a span of one week. Is this a coincidence? OR Are they trying to influence their viewers in support of Obama's administration plans for increased regulation, employment benefits and other European style policies?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
The Stockholm Syndrome
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis First 100 Days

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
The Stockholm Syndrome Pt. 2
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis First 100 Days

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Christine Lagarde
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis First 100 Days

Obama - 21st century Nehru?

Closing Guantanamo Bay.
Releasing Torture Memos and potentially trying the people who approved them.
Banning secret CIA prisons.
Allowing travel and remittances to Cuba.
Appeasing Muslim Nations.
Talking to Anti American communist regimes.
Proposing to back off of Missile Shield plans in eastern europe to trade for Russian help talking to Iran.
Ignoring Israel Lobby.
Accepting American responsibility for anti americanism across the world and almost openly disowning 50 years of American foreign policy.

These are the things that you would expect to hear from liberals on the streets of SF and Berkeley. Or hollywood and media personalities.

Talking morals is one thing and acting on them as a President is another. It feels like Obama strongly believes that American policies are responsible for the current state of the world. He seems to believe from the heart that world can be ONE and we can all be friends. It's almost unreal.

I am not sure if the world can be one. But it is probably worth trying. But it sure takes more than 8 years Obama potentially has and lot more grit and determination to continue these policies. Every country has it's own priorities and politics and will not turn the page because America wants to. I hope Obama has at least an 8 year plan and the political will to continue even in the case of major crises.

PS: Nehru apparently believed in such ideals, trusted UN and considered Chinese his brothers, ended up conceding half of Kashmir to Pakistan and China, allowed chinese to occupy tibet.

Random Thought!!

Is Obama going to end up on a coin or a bill?

Random Thought!!

I see some people saying torture doesn't work.
Would torture be OK if it works?

Flexibility in Ethics??

War on Drugs is a failure -> Legalize Marijuana
Abstinence doesn't work -> Provide condoms to Kids
Can't stop piracy on the web -> Music should be free

I guess if enough people are doing - wrong becomes right!!

Desi CIO and CTO for Obama's Administration!!

Do not know if these appointments has any significance at all for India, but it is interesting nonetheless to have two Indian descent people in key roles in Technology!

Aneesh Paul Chopra - CTO
Chopra serves as Virginia’s Secretary of Technology. He leads the Commonwealth’s strategy to effectively leverage technology in government reform, to promote Virginia’s innovation agenda, and to foster technology-related economic development. Previously, he worked as Managing Director with the Advisory Board Company, leading the firm’s Financial Leadership Council and the Working Council for Health Plan Executives.

Vivek Kundra, Federal Chief Information Officer
Vivek Kundra formerly served in Mayor Fenty's cabinet as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the District of Columbia, responsible for technology operations and strategy for 86 agencies. He has been recognized among the top 25 CTO's in the country and as the 2008 IT Executive of the Year for his pioneering work to drive transparency, engage citizens and lower the cost of government operations. Kundra is also recognized for his leadership in public safety communications, cyber security and IT portfolio management. Before Kundra came to the District, Governor Timothy M. Kaine appointed him Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first dual cabinet role in the state's history. Kundra's diverse record also includes technology and public policy experience in private industry and academia. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and holds a MS in Information Technology from the University of Maryland.

High Speed Show Off???

Obama unveils a 'Strategic Plan' for the high speed rail future in US. Fantastic.

"Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination. Imagine what a great project that would be to rebuild America."

When you hear Obama saying these lines, you sure would be excited as hell and start dreaming about the day you step on to one of these trains in San Francisco Transbay Terminal. So I was all excited about the plan and digged in a bit to check the dates when I can start riding in one of those machines. There is nothing!!! The plan boasts of $8 Billion allocated to project in the Stimulus. What a joke!!

Just the line from 'SF to LA' has been in plans for ages and state is struggling to find the $40 Billion it costs according to the current estimates. Just one line from SF to LA. The plan doesn't even mention the total cost of this vision, forget about how they plan to raise the money. Check out the strategic plan here - http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/31

This takes me back to one of the line that got me excited from his 'Not State of the Union' speech, that they already identified $2 Trillion in spending cuts. Which turned out to be nothing more than the savings for not continuing the 'Surge' in Iraq.

I still like a lot of things that he is saying in his speeches, at the face value, but am afraid to dig in, for it may just be another farce.

Movies to Watch this Summer!

May 21 - Terminator Salvation
May 29 - UP
Jun 24 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Jul 01 - Ice Age: Dawn of Dinosaurs
Aug 07 - GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra
Aug 21 - Inglorious Basterds

What is the future of TV?

I suspect Television Sets would just become screens for 'Set-top' boxes. And set-top boxes would become next battle ground for OS wars after mobile phones. Apple TV, MS IPTV/ Xbox, Sony PS3, Google Android and probably some new players would compete to come up with easy to use software that delivers content and information (through widgets?) ondemand with unique advertising models and innovative controllers that goes with the software.

Caste wise party nominations in 2009 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections

2009 General Elections Candidate List Second Phase

http://www.eenadu.net/Electionsspl/8EC4-08.pdf

Is Chiru going to dissappoint??

When chiru planned to enter politics.. based on what we know about him and the initial team he put together and the meetings dr. mithra has organized, we thought he would start a party with an progressive agenda with IAS/ IPS, doctors, lawyers, engineers and economists. More like Loksatta, but much grander.

Something changed, he ended up starting a party with an agenda of 'Social Justice', a formula successfully implemented in the north, primarily by 'Mayawati's BSP', bringing political power to a coalition of backward castes, STs and SCs.

That is a disappointment to the pro reform people like me who supported Naidu's old TDP, Vajpayee's BJP and Jayaprakash Narayan's Loksatta.

But, most of us still believe Chiru is a honest and clean candidate who wants to do good to people. Which cannot be said about blatantly irresponsible 'YSR' and stoop to anything for power 'CBN'. He kept his first promise on giving a high number of nominations to the classes like he said. So, I still think people should vote for PrajaRajyam and give Chiru a chance.

Now, I spoke to some one in India and the talk doesn't seem to be positive for PRP. With all the allegations on selling the seats, allegations of prominence of Allu Aravind and family, core team quitting, doubts about the strength of his leadership qualities... all these promoted by the completely corrupt media (can write 100 posts about the media manipulation)... I feel sad.

Can Chiru succeed against all the odds? Is there a silent wave supporting him with women and youth friendly manifesto?

Or Is chiru going to disappoint?

Opinion Polls India Elections 2009

I am 100% confident that the opinion polls out there are going to be a matter of laughing stock again. I'm documenting the polls published so far and we can revisit next month when the results are out. 

. UPA NDA Third Front Others Date Sample Size . CNN-IBN CSDS 215-235(36%) 165-185 (29%) Feb 22nd . Star News (Nielsen) 257 184 96 Mar 17th 50K . Star News (Nielsen) 203 191 104 39 Apr 11th . India Today ORG Marg 191-200 172-181 169-178 Mar 10th 12K . India TV 178 187 121 52 . Times of India 201 195 82 65 Mar 6th

Out in the wild.. Politics and Caste in Andhra Pradesh

Caste has always been a core part of the politics in India. This time it is different, every one is embracing it openly. Merit and qualifications have never been the criteria in politics, but this time political parties are openly pitching caste as the criteria for the selection of candidate in the name of 'Social Justice'.

Should this development be taken as a progression from 2 rich castes ruling the state? or is this a regression to accepting caste as a qualification?

Allocation of Parliament Seats by the three major Alliances for 2009 General Elections. 

. Congress Telugu Desam Praja Rajyam . BC 10 12 14 . SC 8 7 7 . ST 3 3 3 . OC 20 16 12 . Minorities 1 4 6

2009 General Elections Andhra Pradesh Candidate List First Phase