HMTV Vs iNews

Two news channels have been launched on the same day, the New Year day. Its time we compare both of them before comparing with the other news channels.

 

HMTV started its operations in 2007 and hence it took more than one year to bring out its channel. After spending more than 4 crores on unproductive work so far, the management seemed to have decded to pressurise the staff to being out the channel at any cost even though the staff is not confident. But such hard work is not seen on the screen. May be too many peoples' ambition to be seen on the screen led to this situation. Graphics are very poor, leave alone the fonts and the updation. There is a terrible failure on the  inputs front and hence most of the news items are National and International - proving that dependency on the Reuters is more than its own bureau. Coordination among the reporters and the studio is missing. Live is confined to Hyderabad and it is learnt that there are certian issues relating to licensing for using their live vans (DSNGs ). As a viewer, we can see the old age people wearing blazers and trying to look younger. But their thinking is not modern and we can see usage of words like Sikhara Vaarta for Headline News. The average age of staff is more than any other channel in AP. The discussions are very poor. People are more interested in wearing blazers rather than preparing well for the discussions. Those who cannot utter words audibly are also trying to appear on screen at the cost of the management's money. Let us see how far people receive such people's on screen presence.

 

iNews is in fact a surprise as many were thinking that it might take some more time. Inside information is that only on knowing that hmtv is going for a test run on 1st at 5.17 ( comrade Ramachandramurthy boasts himself of being an ahthiest !!! ), iNews suddenly decided to advance its date from 5th. By evening, everybody started comparing both the channels. While the graphics are impressive, the colours are cool. Some of the promos are interesting and the news bulletins are yet to be aired. Many senior journalists who observed both the channels started rating them and iNews is leading. The sample yearenders and the entertainment programmes showed how perfectly the planning was. The script is also tight and the visual editing is also very apt. Even though it is too early to make comments, the first impression is that iNews is being run on a professional way. The professionalism of the young team is clearly visible in their promos. By the way, the average age of the staff in iNews is considered the lowest in the state, less than 30. Old may be gold but young is platinum.