| జెమినీ టీవీ Gemini TV | |
| Picture Format: | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 576i for the SDTV feed) |
| Network: | Sun TV Network[1] |
| Owner: | SUN Group |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Telugu |
| Area: | Worldwide |
| Headquarters: | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Sister Channels: | Sun TV Network (Channels) |
| Website: | Gemini TV |
Gemini TV is an Indian Telugu language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Sun TV Network. It is the first satellite TV channel in Telugu.[2] [3] It was launched on 9 February 1995 by the Gemini Group of Hyderabad (run by Akkineni Manohar Prasad, grandson of L. V. Prasad), in association with Sun TV Network. In 1996–97, Sun TV Network acquired a controlling interest in the channel. The channel's programming consists of serials, films, film-based programs and game shows alongside some reality shows. Gemini TV HD was launched on 11 December 2011.[4]
Gemini TV was launched on 9 February 1995.[5] [6] [7] It is founded by the Gemini Group of Hyderabad (run by Akkineni Manohar Prasad, grandson of L. V. Prasad), in association with Sun TV Network. In 1996–97, Sun TV Network acquired a controlling interest in the channel. Gemini TV is the first satellite TV channel in Telugu. Gemini TV began with only a four-hour service via a Rimsat satellite uplinked from Singapore. Later it expanded its broadcast time to 12 hours a day. By May 2000, Gemini was considered as a strong number two to the leader ETV.[8]
The Sun Group started working in the television business through three companies of which Gemini Television Private Limited broadcast Telugu language channels, while Sun Television Private Limited and Uday Television Private Limited broadcast Tamil and Kannada language channels respectively.[9] In November 2006, Kalanithi Maran merged Gemini TV Ltd with Sun TV Network Ltd along with Udaya TV Ltd for the IPO listing of Sun TV Network.[10] [11] [12]
Sun18
Network18 Group has 50% dealing distribution with Sun TV Network, which led them to make Sun18. In July 2010, with the creation of Sun18, Sun TV Network became responsible for the South Indian market, while Network18 was responsible for the North Indian market.[13] [14]
By May 2000, Gemini was considered as a strong number two to the leader ETV. From early 2000s, Gemini remained the market leader until 2016. But in 2017–18, Gemini TV slipped to third or fourth positions, due to heavy competition from ETV, Zee Telugu and especially Star Maa. This situation further worsened during the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 and Gemini TV lost most of its market share. But sometimes it did regain its majority share, but it was not constant.
Sun TV Network, its parent company tried to regain its lost viewership by introducing some new reality shows. But it was only a partial success. As of September 2022, it still has not regained its lost viewership, with its situation worsening.[15]
See main article: List of programmes broadcast by Gemini TV.
See main article: List of channels owned by Sun TV Network.
Gemini Movies is a Telugu language 24x7 movie channel. The channel broadcasts Telugu movies which were acquired by Gemini TV. Currently the channel is holding 2200+ movies in its movie library. The channel launched in 1995 as Teja TV, later on in 2009 the channel renamed as Gemini Movies.
HD Version of the channel became available from 2011 with added Dolby Atmos. Currently the channel is leading over its original channel in the TRP ratings.
Gemini Music is a Telugu language 24x7 music channel. The channel broadcasts movie singles from movies which were acquired by Gemini TV. The channel launched in 2009. Currently the channel is holding 7200+ music clips in its library.
The channel logo was unique when it was launched. Later in 2014 the channel logo was made similar to Sun Music. The channel sometimes also telecasts film festival events and interviews. Its HD Version launched in 2017, but was officially available from 2023 in all DTH services.
Gemini Comedy is a general entertainment channel. The channel broadcast comedy scenes from Telugu movies which were acquired by Gemini TV. The channel became very popular in its launch, starting in 2009.
Kushi TV is a Telugu language kids' channel. The channel launched on 13 September 2009 simultaneously with Chutti TV (Tamil), Kouchu (Malayalam) and Chintu TV (Kannada). The channel gained positive response from young audiences with making international anime in their local channels.
Gemini News is a Telugu language new television channel launched in 2004. The channel gained good rating in 2000s decade. Later on that operators unable to handle the channel simultaneously with multiple channels. Besides from 2018 the channel lost its audience and unable gain minimum rating in both urban and rural markets.
Finally on 15 February 2019 the channel shutdown and was replaced with Sun Bangla on 19 February 2019.
Gemini Action is a Telugu language action movie channel. The channel launched without any purpose. It was launched on 15 June 2010. Films broadcast movies which were brought by Gemini TV. But among them Billa, Naa Ishtam, Kick, Athidhi and Dashavatram movies were telecasted frequently.
Due to few reasons the channel shutdown in 2011 and was replaced with a HD channel by Sun TV Network.