Tag: MM TV

Front and centre Manorama News makes a clear case for credibility

MUMBAI: In the age of blink-and-miss news, Manorama News is making sure you don’t miss a thing by being quite literally right in front of you. The Malayalam news powerhouse is turning heads and tuning in hearts with its sharp brand refresh and high-impact campaign, Neril Kaanam which translates to “Right in Front of You.” With a tagline that doubles as a promise, the initiative repositions Manorama News not just as a source of updates, but as an omnipresent part of a Malayali’s daily routine.

This strategic rebranding now live across TV, digital, and mobile platforms isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about agility, authenticity, and attention. The refresh includes a sleeker logo, bigger fonts for bite-sized clarity, and graphics built with a digital-first lens all designed by Ian Wormleighton of Twin Associates, UK, who’s also helped craft visual identities for the BBC.

“Viewers shouldn’t have to go looking for the news, it should find them,” said MM TV CEO P. R. Satheesh. “That’s the essence of Neril Kaanam.”

The results are showing. Whether it’s breaking news, local weather or cricket scores, everything now lands front and centre literally. The channel has also launched new shows like Actually Enthannu Sambhavichathu, Trending News, and Innu Nadannathu, designed to give viewers more depth without the drag.

What’s truly breaking new ground, however, is the use of anchors themselves in a set of six promotional films, a first in Indian TV news marketing turning familiar faces into brand storytellers.

With a 360-degree marketing push spanning television, print, digital, and outdoor, the Neril Kaanam message is everywhere. And early feedback suggests it’s working viewers are noticing, conversations are spiking, and digital engagement metrics are climbing.

In short, Manorama News isn’t just refreshing its look, it’s refreshing how news is seen, heard, and trusted.

June 11, 2025
MM TV appoints Smitha Narayanan as new sales & marketing head

Mumbai: The largest media network in South India, MM TV has appointed Smitha Narayanan as the new sales & marketing head. She will be overseeing the operations of its three channels – Mazhavil Manorama, Manorama News and ManoramaMAX OTT.

Having over 18 years of experience, Smitha was associated with several blue-chip companies like Colgate, Palmolive, Dell Computers, Britannia Industries and Wipro Enterprises. She has played a crucial role in strategising sales, branding and product functions at these companies in various capacities. Prior to her association with MM TV, Smitha was with Wipro Yardley, a Middle East business based out of Dubai.

Speaking on the appointment, MM TV CEO Satheesh PR said, “Having worked with brands across various markets, Smitha brings in her rich diversity and insight. We are happy to welcome her into MM TV’s senior leadership team and look forward to her contribution to strengthening our vision and pursuing our goals”.

She is a graduate of IIM Lucknow and has the experience that can take MM TV to great heights.

September 15, 2022
MM TV launches the first 100% Malayalam Entertainment and News app

MUMBAI: MM TV has launched ManoramaMAX – the first 100% Malayalam Entertainment and News app, offering a plethora of pure Malayalam content from Manorama’s content bucket. Malayalis worldwide can now watch news, entertainment programmes, MAX Originals and movies in one application.

ManoramaMAX offers all the latest snippets of news including Live Manorama News, all the daily bulletins, a special Speed News for the ManoramaMax users, and all the popular shows on Manorama News like Counter Point, NereChovve, ParayatheVayya, Crime Story etc. The app also offers entertainment content as programs from fiction, reality shows and other shows of Mazhavil Manorama. It allows a user to watch currently running shows before it airs on TV, if they take a premium membership.

The premium membership also grants access to 150 plus movies including premiere first on ManoramaMAX. It also showcases Max Originals and Events yearlong, exclusively for its premium customers.

The premium membership can be availed at Rs. 499 per annum in India and at $14.99 per annum if the subscriber is from anywhere outside India. A user can enjoy access to the free content by simply logging into the free version of the app.

September 6, 2019
Essel Shyam wins contracts in Bangladesh, targets Rs 750 million revenue in 2006-07

MUMBAI: Essel Shyam Communication Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Essel and Shyam Group, has bagged two turnkey projects for television channels in Bangladesh valued together at $5 million (Rs 225 million).

Bangla Vision, a 24-hour news and entertainment channel, has used Essel Shyam’s services for integrating the complete set up starting from acquisition (studio) to transmission (teleport). Essel Shyam is doing similar work for CSB, a news and entertainment channel which is expected to launch later this month.

The other contracts include putting up VSATs for ONGC in 154 locations across the country at a value of Rs 164 million and for ministry of defence at 97 locations in the Himalayan range for Rs 270 million.

“With this, we are targeting a turnover of Rs 750 million for this fiscal, up from Rs 537.8 milllion a year ago. For CSB, the project includes setting up of a complete satellite channel including newsroom automation,” says Essel Shyam Communication ED and whole time director Lalit Jain.

Essel Shyam is planning to raise Rs 600 million through an initial public offering (IPO) to fund its expansion plan. The company has filed Draft Red Herring Prospectus with SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India) and proposes to offer 55,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each through the book building process.

Essel Shyam is into the business of providing various services related to satellite communication such as VSAT, teleport, SNG/DSNG and BPO facilities. The company is providing teleport services to channels of Zee Group, Janmat, Zoom (Times Group), IBN 7, Hungama TV. Several regional channels like Shalom TV, MM TV, Sangeet Bangla, Total TV and Sudarshan TV are also using Essel Shyam’s teleport. The company has recently set up a mode

December 27, 2006
Malayala Manorama gears up to launch news channel Manorama News

MUMBAI: The Malayalam print major Malayala Manorama is looking to launch its news channel Manorama News by the month of May. The channel will launch under the banner of Manorama’s newly formed television division MM TV.

The company has almost completed the recruitment drive and presently, fine-tuning of the technology features is being carried out.

“We haven’t zeroed in on the launch date yet, but it may happen by the month of May. We want to enter the market well prepared, complete to the final details,” says Johny Lukose, who will lead the news team in the capacity of news director.

Lukose said Manorama News would have a team of about 100 journalists, and 80 per cent of the appointments have already been completed. The channel will also leverage strength from the wide network of journalists working for the print establishment Malayala Manorama. Former Asianet news editor K Jaideep will report to Lukose as coordinating editor of the channel.

Manorama News will be headquartered in Aroor, near Kochi, where the company has set up its news studio. Two smaller studios have been set up in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

MM TV has also finalised the logo for the news channel. The logo, which shows three geometrical designs coming together to form the letter M, is created by Red Bee Media (formerly BBC Broadcast).

Lukose added that the channel would be backed by news broadcasting’s latest technology. Some of the latest technology features the channel has signed up include the IconMasterT system for master control with embedded multi-layer branding. The software is developed by the US-headquartered Harris Broadcast Communications.

April 3, 2006