Whispers In Tamil Nadu: “Clean up Jaya TV” : Jaya's next operation.

After cracking the against Mannargudi Mafia cartel, Amma is all set to divert her attention towards Jaya TV...this is the latest whispers doing rounds inside AIADMK's mouth piece Jaya TV. Jayalalitha, who is not so keen on the affairs of Jaya TV had entrusted the entire administration to Ms.Anuradha, wife of TTV.Dinakaran. But what's wrong with Jaya TV? Amma has decided to clean up the party's main propaganda tool following serious complaints about loss of revenue and misappropriation of funds by senior authorities who are running the show...

Jaya TV, which was never competent in matters of professionalism be it news or entertainment...it was always lagging far behind on its contemporaries, making it quite obvious that it has no intention to compete. Ever since its inception 14 years ago...several things have changed but one thing that has successfully defeated Karl Marx's theory of "change" is the channel's revenue...for the past 14 years it remains at Rs.4 crores a month - Not a penny more, not a penny less...One wonders how this figure has neither decreased nor increased from the channel’s inception in 1999. So that brings us to our next question...What's rotten in Jaya TV?

In the year 2000... Jaya TV was the only channel, at present its a network, which has two additional channels Jaya Max and Jaya Plus...no matter its one channel or 3 the earnings remains the same - 4 crores a month, say insiders. Now whispers doing rounds is that Amma’s secret investigation into the affairs of Jaya TV has revealed shocking details. Jaya TV has been a money making cow for a few top authorities. One among them is Bala Swaminathan, who is the present Vice President (Marketing) in Jaya TV...sources say he heads the cartel, which systematically siphons of Jaya TV revenue. Insiders in Jaya TV feel, it was Bala Swaminathan who continuously wins JACKPOT !!!

Bala Swaminathan

Bala Swaminathan, who was working with the Vikatan group, joined Jaya TV in the year 1999 as marketing head and since then he continues to be the marketing head...Sources say Bala who started his career in Jaya TV with a modest salary of 45,000 per month is now receiving Rs.1,90,000/- per month.

TTV Dinakaran, who was initially handling the affairs of Jaya TV had kept Bala Swaminathan in check. But as soon as Dinakaran’s wife Anuradha donned the mantle, it was a free run for Bala Swaminathan. Anuradha, who is new to the nuances of administration was taken for a ride by Bala, say Jaya TV insiders. Jaya TV’s major revenue is in the form of advertisements of which half of the advertisements are from major players like Procter & Gamble, Hindustan Unilever, and other major companies etc. These MNCs have their own advertising agency and maintain a clean slate. But Bala devised a clever plan to rake in the moolah in the remaining half advertisements, which are offered to the channel by small players.

Bala Swaminathan, who is a sly operator started an advertising agency named “Bala Ads”!!! and since then it became an unwritten rule that all advertisements are routed through his agency, so that entire advertisements which comes through the so called ‘proper channel’ goes to Jaya TV and the commission to his secret coffers say advertising agency sources. The advertising agency Bala Ads, neither has an office, nor a single staff. The AD agency functions from his home and the rule is 15 percent commission.

Bala Swaminathan, who was in a rented house for Rs.2000 in the year 1999, at the time of joining Jaya TV now owns a palatial flat in the paradise of the rich – and now he is TN Chief Minister - AIADMK Chief & Jaya TV owner J Jayalilathaa’s neighbor at Poes Garden.

Around an year back, Jayalalitha got wind of the loot in Jaya TV and the lackluster performance of Anuradha and decided to shakeup the administration. Sources say after hearing about Jayalalitha’s plans, Bala got jittery that Amma would find out his loot and developed cold feet. Though Jayalalitha subsequently dropped her plans to shakeup the administration, a clever Bala Swaminathan, brought Raghu, Vaithy, Soori and Jayachandran from Vikatan who are his yesmen, just to start a few more so called advertising agencies – namely Raghu Ads, Vaithy Ads, etc. This was an attempt to have his iron clad over Jaya TV, so that the loot continued unabated.

Besides raking in the moolah in advertisements department...Jaya Tv sources say Bala Swaminathan is also in tie up with Subashree Thanikachalam. Subashree Thanikachalam, a visual communication graduate claims herself to be an expert in producing music related programs. For the past five years, Subashree is continuously given prime slots based on a secret understanding with Bala. Jaya TV sources say recently Subashree Thanikachalam went on a tour to Cleveland, USA under the guise of producing music program. However, the expenses for the trip including crew was borne by the Tamil Sangam organization in Cleveland. But Bala Swaminathan sanctioned Rs.20 lakhs from Jaya TV for the trip and got back a sizable share for himself, say sources.

After Subashree returned to India, the program shot in Cleveland which contained US Tamils singing, was shown on Jaya TV with reputed firms as sponsors. Bala Swaminathan went on a sabbatical tour to London and Paris – courtesy Subashree, say insiders. Even though the overall revenue of Jaya TV has not increased over the time, the entire slots in Jaya Plus are filled with real estate advertisements and programs which gloat about magical medical treatments rule the roost in Jaya Plus with the blessings of Bala Swaminathan, who receives a huge cut in the revenue say AD agency sources.

Kalaignar TV which is struggling for its involvement in the 2G scam appears to be far better than Jaya TV and Sun TV, Sun news known for its so called unbiased news and professionalism is doing a commendable job. But Jaya TV which is considered as the most powerful propaganda tool by Jayalilathaa is no more considered to be peoples channel as it claims. This was quite obvious when TN Chief Minister J Jayalilathaa preferred to reach out to the people through a televised speech on Jaya TV while increasing bus fare and milk prices. She wanted to make an emotional appeal to justify that the state is bankrupt and that has forced her to take a decision to this effect...but except a party men, govt officials, bureaucrats and Journalists, by and large the people were unaware about the facts as her emotional plea failed to strike a chord with the people. Thanks to the able administration of Bala Swaminathan and Madam Anuradha.

K.P.Sunil

But where do Anuradha stands with regard to Bala Swaminathan’s activities ? It was Anuradha who inaugurated Bala Swaminathan’s “Bala Ads”. Whispers in Tamil Nadu has already reported on Anuradha's latest antics.

Whispers doing rounds in Poes Garden circles is that Amma has made up her mind to do a complete clean up of Jaya TV and spruce up the channel and make it professional.

If this was the condition on the administration side...the news department headed by K.P.Sunil, Vice President (news) and Editor Thillai is yet to wake up from its deep slumber. Sources inside Jaya TV say the news department lacks motivation and clarity. Industry sources say the Jaya TV news failed to create any ripples in Tamil Nadu political circles when Amma was in the opposition...now after becoming the Chief Minister the news output by and large remains the same.

K P Sunil, was asked to go on leave following his goof up in the telecast of Amma’s all important price hike announcement...Now he is given a second chance by Amma. Sunil was taken to task by Amma for his failure to telecast Jaya’s televised address on scheduled time. After a brief hiatus, Sunil has been given a lifer and has been instructed to pull up his socks and deliver a better performance. Well its an indirect message to Editor Thillai...who is often seen as a man who only wants to ensure that Jayalilathaa's statements are reported in the bulletins without excluding a single sentence or word.

Whispers doing rounds in AIADMK circles is that...Jaya TV news bulletins are only filled with Amma's statements and developments like arrest of DMK leaders and DVAC raids are given less importance. Sources in the party say that local party functionaries expect in-depth coverage of raids and arrests of DMK leaders, so that they can score brownie points at a time when their political rivals are being brought to book for their corrupt activities...However, they compliment Kalaignar TV for building up momentum and maintaining it till date.