News Channels are heavily polarized in Telugu States. The space became even murkier when Megha Engineering India Limited (MEIL) brought stakes in the top channels – TV9 and NTV.
Just before the 2019 elections, MEIL along with My Home Group (Very close to KCR) picked up a nearly 200% stake in TV9, the then Number One Channel in Telugu, and made it a mouthpiece of BRS and YSR Congress.
MEIL owns 22.8% of NTV, the current Number one in Telugu News Channels, and My Home Group owns another 11%.
They lent support to both Governments using these channels and in return, they got the majority of contracts in both Telugu States.
NTV was always a fence-sitter. The Channel corrects itself with the party in power. After the BRS defeat, we have seen NTV trying to be Pro-Congress. KCR mentioned the channel writing obituaries to his party in a public meeting.
The other day, Revanth Reddy met NTV Chairman Narendranath Chowdary for a Lunch meeting.
Very soon, NTV is expected to take a neutral position in Andhra Pradesh once the notification is out.
The story of TV9 is different. Revanth Reddy has gone after My Home and MEIL is also in soup due to Kaleshwaram.
The Channel has become neutral in Telangana but is heavily polarized towards the YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh.
MEIL is the second-highest donor in the Electoral bonds revealed the other day. BRS and YSR Congress are expected to be the biggest beneficiaries.
This revelation has severely dented the image of TV9. If not corrected, it will severely impact the image of Channel which is already sliding in the Ratings Charts.
Moreover, BJP the party that is likely to come into power for the third time in Delhi is on TDP’s side now. If not for the Pro-Opposition, both channels will be forced to maintain equidistance from TDP and YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh.
The schedule will be out today. So, it is a matter of time from here.
