Astro Vaanavil
| Country | Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Tamil Malayalam Kannada Telugu |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Astro |
Astro Vaanavil (Tamil: அஸ்ட்ரோ வானவில்) is a Malaysia South Indian language entertainment free-to-view commercial satellite channel television network that is co-owned by South East Asia's second richest man, Ananda Krishnan and Astro Malaysia Holdings. Astro Vaanavil is Malaysia’s first 24-hour Tamil language television channel. The channel available through satellite television, Astro (Malaysia), Njoi (Malaysia) and Kristal-Astro (Brunei). Vaanavil also available in HyppTV until 31 July 2016. Astro Vaanavil mainly broadcasts shows in Tamil language, as well as programs in Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada languages. Most of the programs are broadcast content from South Indian channels like Puthuyugam TV (Tamil), Vendhar TV (Tamil), Gemini TV (Telugu), Udaya TV (Kannada) and Surya TV (Malayalam). There are also shows that have a local concept from Malaysia. Selected programmes are available in simulcast HD on Astro Vinmeen HD (channel 231).
The channel holds the Guinness World Records for the Longest Live Streamed festival, with 55 hours non-stop live streaming of Thaipusam festival on 22 to 25 January 2016.[1]
Background and history
Vaanavil is the first 24-hour Indian language channel (predominantly Tamil) in Malaysia and broadcast on the Astro satellite television service. Astro Vaanavil is owned by South East Asia's second richest man, Ananda Krishnan. It was launched in 1996 and was one of the first 22 channels to commence broadcast on Astro. The channel was originally available on channel 6, before the channel renumbering in October 2007.
It was the only Tamil language channel in Astro until 14 April 2005, when Sun TV (channel 211, previously channel 73) began broadcasting. These was followed by other channels from South India, such as Sun TV, Sun Music, Star Vijay and Jaya TV.
Astro Vaanavil also broadcast Hindi content until December 2002. From January 2003, Hindi content moved to the then-new channel, Astro Prima. It broadcast foreign programs targeted at Malay viewers, but now its focus has been changed into Malay content targeted at family viewers.
Programs
Current shows
Talk Shows
- vizhtugal S12
Movies
- Gemini Movie - Telugu language movies, every Thursday, 10pm
- Surya Movie - Malayalam language movies, every Monday, 10pm
Serials/dramas
- bhairavapuram
Variety shows
- Rasikka Rusikka
- Iyarkai thedi
- 360° s11
Award shows
- Edison Awards - grand annual award presenting ceremony for people in the Tamil film industry
- Malaysian Music Industry Award for Malaysian Indian
Game shows
- maanavar muzhakkam S6
- Oranga Naadagam S2
- Pesu Tamizha Pesu S2
- Pesu Tamizha Pesu-International
- Maanavar Muzhakam-international
Previous shows
Reality shows
- Attam 100 Vagai
- Nalamudan Valvom
- Vaanavil Paadalthiran Potti, later known as Avatharam Aarambam and recently Vaanavil SuperStar
Variety shows
- Matri Yosie[2]
Notable host
- Aruna Raj Devarajoo
- Bala Ganapathi William
- Nithya Shree
- Punnagai Poo' Gheetha
- Sangeeta Krishnasamy
Director
| Director | Year |
|---|---|
| Dr. N.C. Rajamani | Present |