Mangalam TV
Malayalam satellite TV channel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mangalam TV was an Indian 24-hour Malayalam-language free-to-air news channel headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Final logo used from 2017 to 2022 | |
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Indian sub-continent, Middle East, Europe, North America |
| Headquarters | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Programming | |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Mangalam Publications |
| History | |
| Launched | 26 March 2017 |
| Closed | 31 January 2022 |
| Links | |
| Website | Dissolved |
The channel ran into financial troubles and shut down all operations by the end of 2022. In early 2023, South Indian Bank confiscated its assets, including studio and equipment.[1]
Controversy
On its launch day,[2] Mangalam TV aired a telephonic audio clip in which Transport Minister AK Saseendran was allegedly heard speaking in a sexually explicit way to someone whom the channel claimed was a housewife.[3][4][5] Saseendran resigned as minister the same day. The Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, had inaugurated the channel launch.[6]
After initially denying allegations of a smear campaign,[7] Mangalam TV's CEO Ajith Kumar eventually apologised and admitted that it was a sting operation done by a female journalist employed by the channel.[8]
On 4 April, Kumar and four media people of the channel were arrested by the Kerala Police for airing an "obscene conversation" and for criminal conspiracy.[5][9]
Later, Saseendran was acquitted in the case after the complainant, who had earlier alleged sexual harassment, turned hostile in court; he returned as Transport Minister.[10][11]