MUMBAI: The newcomer in the news industry of Tamil Nadu, Puthiya Thalaimurai had quite some things to prove and even more so with the general elections being its first attempt at covering elections.
The channel, like others planned a full-fledged election coverage for its viewers. For pre poll, an expert panel of chief election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy, Madras High Court judge Vallinayagam and a few others was constituted who dealt with the authenticity of the information.
A team of 400 people including journalists, editors, camera crew, graphics team and production crew were involved in the coverage. Six extra cams and six Live U units were hired for the one and a half month period. 16 May saw 12 hour live coverage from 21 places across the country and discussions with 36 panelists. The graphics team of 10 people came up with 3D graphics for counting day with separate teams dedicated to ticker updates, news updates, panel discussions, field reporting, counting centres, political and public reactions.
Special shows for election season was created. These included Ungal Thogudhi Ungal Pradhinidhi (your constituency, your representative), Modhum Vetpaalargal Kanikkum Vaakkaalargal (contesting candidates and predicting voters), Naattin Naadikanippu (pulse of the nation), Prachara Medai (stage set for campaign), 40thin Naadi thudippu (palpitations of 40), Ungal Thogudhi Ungal Vetpaalar (your constituency your candidate), Special Nerpada Pesu (speak out the truth), A Day with an M.P, Star Candidates, Therdhal Vaakkuruthigal 2014 (Election promises), Election Countdown, Magalirum Makkalaatchiyum (women and democracy). For Naatiin Naadikanippu chief ministers of the states of Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Kerala, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir were interviewed.
A line of sponsors were also set for the channel. While Ramraj was the presenting sponsor, Paragon was roped in as powered by sponsor. Apart from this, 11 associate sponsors that came onboard Puthiya Thalaimurai included: Aravind Life Style, Shakti Pumps, AML Steels, V Guard, Black Thunder, Excel Enginering College, GSK – Sensodyne, Udayam Dal, Popular Apalam, Ponvandu Soap, Menaka Caards.
The counting day saw three indoor and one open studio in Chennai along with reporting from various constituencies of Tamil Nadu such as Puducherry, Kovai, Trichy and Madurai apart from Delhi studio, BJP office, Congress office and Left office in Delhi. Reporters were also stationed at Trivandrum, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to give updates of the neighbouring states.
Says New Gen Media Corp CEO Shyam Kumar, “The expert team members guided and focussed on the authenticity of the information with their expert knowledge and experience. Their able guidance helped Puthiya Thalaimurai stand for what it is. Yet we believe in youthful ideas too. To keep track of the process, a young team was formed.”
