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The changing face of television news in India”, the participants spoke about the mushrooming of several news channels in the last few years, and how the very concept of news delivery and content had changed to the extent that there was now a thin line between news and entertainment. Meanwhile, as the debate rages, the Anuradha Prasad-backed Bag Films has gone ahead and launched a full-fledged news channel on entertainment and lifestyle called E24. To begin with, the channel plans to have one-hour news bulletins on the entertainment and glamour industry at regular intervals throughout the day. In addition, there will be a judicious mix of other lifestyle shows and music countdowns. Says Anuradha: “The objective of E24 is to give full entertainment to the youth. There are very few shows on Bollywood and the entertainment industry, so there is a large appetite among viewers for such shows. We will provide credible information based entertainment.”

Here is a talent hunt launched by Vijay TV to promote the Tamil language “Aachi Thamizh Pechu Engal Moochu” (Sunday, 9 a.m.), the first ever search for the best Thamizh orator in Tamil Nadu. The channel conducted an intensive state-wide hunt for competent Tamil orators. Renowned Tamil scholars ‘Thamizh Kadal’ Nellai Kannan and Nellai Jeyantha were the judges. One of the innovative rounds is ‘Kaaviya Surukkam’ wherein the participants had to condense any of the three literary epics — ‘Silapadikkaram’, ‘Manimegalai’ and ‘Kundalakesi’. The participants were given half an hour to prepare and deliver the essence within three minutes. Another round which was interesting was the ‘Vaadam Vivadam’ (debate) round. Nellai Kannan says: “It was indeed a pleasure to see every participant speak with zeal and enthusiasm but a few participants need to be conscious of their pronunciation.”

An apocalypse looms large and a battle royal unfolds as the finale of the super-hit “Heroes” is aired on Star World on April 1, 9 p.m. Revolving around a group of ordinary people who possess extraordinary powers, “Heroes” has been listed by Entertainment Weekly as one of the best science-fiction shows over the past 25 years. In India too, the serial has notched up impressive TRPs. Lauded by critics, it picked up two Golden Globe nominations and was named Favorite New Drama at the People’s Choice Awards.

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