Sun Network buys 'Dinakaran'

Rashmi Vasudeva - Televisionpoint.com
The Kalanithi Maran promoted Sun Network has buyed the No. 3 Tamil daily 'Dinakaran', promoted by late KP Kandasamy.

With 'Dinakaran', coming to control of Sun Network, it will bring along four editions of 'Malai Murasu' and five editions of 'Tamizh Murasu'. Tamil weeklies like 'Velai Vazhikaati' (employment magazine), 'Vaniga Ulagam' (business magazine) and 'Yogalakshmi' (lottery magazine), will also come under complete control to Sun Network.

The deal between Maran and Kumaran was signed today. According to Information available with Televisionpoint.com, Sun Network has decided to make it very strong in Tamil Nadu and will be most probably revamping the 'Dinakaran' edition in an all new avatar with more pages and colours.

Sun Network already has 'Kungumam' in its hands in the weekly segment, which is ranked as the highest read Tamil weekly and fourth largest read Indian weekly, according to NRS 2005, with a readership of over 55 Lakhs. With the 'Dinakaran' deal, the media giant is foraying into the daily segment.

The 'Dinakaran' daily has nine editions, in the cities of Chennai, Vellore, Tiruchi, Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore, Thirunelveli, Pondicherry and Bangalore. The circulation is around 3,25,000 copies in Tamil Nadu and is sold at RS. 3 on weekdays and RS. 5 on Sundays.

The 'Dinakaran' group is presently managed by K Kumaran, son of late Kandasamy. Although, it is a noted fact that sources close to Kumaran have denied this takeover.