Star Maa

Penmetsa Murali Krishnam Raju founded MAA Television Network in 2001 as a corporate entity.{{Cite web |last=Prasanna |first=Sai |date=24 January 2012 |title=MAA TV to launch Telugu GEC on January 25 |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/maa-tv-to-launch-telugu-gec-on-january-25-45092.html |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Exchange4media |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=30 January 2012 |title=Maa TV launches Telugu GEC Maa Gold |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/32889_maa-tv-launches-telugu-gec-maa-gold |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=afaqs!}} Its flagship TV channel, MAA TV was launched in April 2002.{{Cite web |date=9 April 2003 |title=MAA TV to celebrate one year with news channel |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/apr/apr65.htm |access-date=20 October 2022 |website=Indiantelevision.com}}{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Dr Paramveer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ncg7EAAAQBAJ&dq=maa+tv&pg=PA114 |title=Indian Silver Screen |date=2021-08-05 |publisher=K.K. Publications |pages=114 |language=en}} The channel started off as a pay channel with 18 hours of programming a day.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2002 |title=Digital satellite Telugu channel Maa TV launching soon |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k2/mar/mar73.htm |website=Indiantelevision.com}} An initial investment of {{Indian Rupee}}25 crore was made into the venture. D. Rajendra Prasad, a veteran of Telugu television business associated with Citi Cable, was also reportedly a co-promoter of the company.{{Cite web |date=12 August 2008 |title=The battle for eyeballs |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/the-battle-for-eyeballs/articleshow/3353928.cms |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} As of 2003, Murali Krishnam Raju owned 70% of the company.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rZ5aAAAAYAAJ&q=maa+tv+murali+raju |title=Business World |publisher=ABP Group |year=2003 |volume=23 |language=en}}

In March 2006, Nimmagadda Prasad along with film stars Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna became promoters by purchasing 60% stake worth {{Indian Rupee}}40 crore.{{Cite news |date=23 March 2006 |title=Telugu stars, Matrix Labs promoter to take 60% stake in Maa TV |work=Indiantelevision.com |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/sep/sep233.htm}} After the revised capital structure, the three of them acquired equal stake in the channel. Founder Murali Krishna Raju's holding came down to 20% after the restructuring.

The company's second channel, MAA Music, was launched on 30 May 2008.{{Cite web |last= |date=30 May 2008 |title=Maa TV launches music channel Maa Music |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/may/may338.php |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Indiantelevision.com |language=en}} On 4 February 2011, Maa TV Network launched two new channels, Maa Movies and Maa Junior with content focused on movies and children respectively.{{Cite news |date=2011-02-05 |title=Maa TV launches two new channels |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/Maa-TV-launches-two-new-channels/article15128979.ece |access-date=2022-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817082546/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/Maa-TV-launches-two-new-channels/article15128979.ece |archive-date=17 August 2019 |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |date=4 February 2011 |title=MAA Juniors and MAA Movies channels launch |url=https://idlebrain.com/news/functions/launch-maatvchannels.html |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=Idlebrain.com}} Coinciding with the occasion, film actor Ram Charan was inducted as a Director on the board of the company.

On 9 April 2012, an official announcement was made by Sony Pictures and Maa Television Network that the former would be picking up 30 percent of stake in the latter, subject to necessary approvals. However, the deal did not materialize.{{Cite web |date=2015-02-13 |title=Star India enters Telugu GEC space, acquires 100% stake at Maa Television Network |url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/star-india-enters-telugu-gec-space-acquires-100-stake-at-maa-television-network-2097657.html |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}

In February 2015, Star India acquired broadcast business of MAA Television Network for an estimated price of {{Indian Rupee}}2,000{{En dash}}2,500 crore.{{Cite news |last1=Sukumar |first1=C. R. |last2=Raghavendra |first2=Nandini |date=12 February 2015 |title=Star India agrees to buy largest Telugu entertainment channel Maa TV |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/star-india-agrees-to-buy-largest-telugu-entertainment-channel-maa-tv/articleshow/46198877.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-10-20}}{{Cite news |date=12 February 2015 |title=STAR India acquires MAA TV's broadcast business for Rs 2.5k cr |newspaper=Business Standard India |url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article/companies/star-india-acquires-maa-tv-broadcast-business-for-around-rs-2-500-crore-115021100616_1.html}}{{Cite news |date=11 February 2015 |title=Star India to acquire four Telugu Maa TV channels |newspaper=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/star-india-to-acquire-four-telugu-maa-tv-channels/article6882421.ece}} At the time of acquisition, Nimmagadda Prasad had 65 percent stake in the company, Chiranjeevi and his family owned 20 percent, and Nagarjuna 10 percent.

On 13 February 2017, Maa TV was rebranded as Star Maa with a new logo before the start of the Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu Season 4. In June 2017, Her sister channel, Maa Movies, Maa Music and Maa Gold were also rebranded into Star Maa Movies, Star Maa Music and Star Maa Gold.{{Cite web|url=https://bestmediainfo.com/2017/02/maa-tv-rechristened-as-star-maa/|title=Maa TV rechristened as Star Maa|website=bestmediainfo.com}} On 6 September 2020, Star Maa introduced a new logo during the reality show Bigg Boss Telugu Season 4 Grand Launch.{{Cite web|last=kalagara|first=Loshith|date=2020-09-06|title=బ్రేకింగ్: స్టార్ మా లోగో చేంజ్|url=https://manalokam.com/cinema/bigg-boss-4-telugu/star-maa-logo-change.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=telugu news {{!}} Manalokam.com|language=en-US}}

{{Main|List of programs broadcast by Star Maa}}

Star Maa Movies is an Indian Telugu language movie pay television channel operated by JioStar. It primarily telecasts Telugu movies with Dolby digital audio format.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-28 |title=Star Maa launches fresh identity of network channels - Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/star-maa-launches-fresh-identity-of-network-channels-69424.html |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media |language=en}}

Star Maa Gold is an Indian Telugu language movie pay television channel operated by JioStar. It telecasts Telugu movies. It usually airs old Telugu movies. The channel was launched with its sister channel Star Maa Movies in 2011. Formally launched as Maa Junior its name was later changed in 2012 to Maa Gold.{{Cite web |last=bureau |first=afaqs! news |title=Maa TV launches Telugu GEC Maa Gold |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/32889_maa-tv-launches-telugu-gec-maa-gold |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.afaqs.com |language=en}}

Star Maa Music is a Telugu language music television channel from JioStar. It was launched in 2008. It is the only Music channel currently operated by JioStar.{{Cite web |last=Srivastava |first=Akansha |title=JioStar shuts 9 channels including Comedy Central; introduces 8 new sports channels |url=https://bestmediainfo.com/mediainfo/television/jiostar-shuts-9-channels-including-comedy-central-introduces-8-new-sports-channels-8727716 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=bestmediainfo.com |language=en}}

{{Main|CineMAA Awards}}

Maa TV presents the CineMAA Awards to Tollywood personalities every year. The trophy was designed by Neil Foley Designs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/release/y2k10/aug/augrel28.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126092629/http://www.indiantelevision.com/release/y2k10/aug/augrel28.php|archive-date=26 January 2013|title=Maa TV to host Sandal Cinema Awards on 28 August|work=Indian Television|date=26 January 2013|access-date=9 December 2023}}

Awards from the television serials were started presenting from 2017 onward with this name, every year best serials were nominated and present awards to them{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiantvinfo.com/star-maa-parivaar-awards-2017/|title=Star Maa Parivaar Awards 2017, Winners List, Event Images And Telecast|date=2017-06-07|website=Indian Television|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-02}}

The channel is one of the most watched top five Telugu GECs.{{Cite web|title=Going gets tougher for regional broadcasters as national players expand footprint|url=https://m.businesstoday.in/story/local-tv-broadcasters-face-tough-times-in-regional-markets/1/217711.html|website=Business Today|date=20 April 2015 }} As of 2010, it remained the third most watched Telugu GEC.{{Cite web|title=Telugu television rewrites script in 2010 - Sun TV Network SVP, business head- Telugu cluster Sanjay Reddy|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k11/sanjay_reddy_Yearender.php|website=Indian Television dot com|date=19 February 2011 }} In the last quarter of 2014, Maa TV overtook Gemini TV to become the leader.{{Cite book |last=Kohli-Khandekar |first=Vanita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wH2jDwAAQBAJ&dq=Maa+TV&pg=PT157 |title=The Making of Star India: The Amazing Story of Rupert Murdoch's India Adventure |date=2019-07-25 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5305-598-1 |language=en}}

Since 2017, the viewership of the channel started to have a great jump and it consistently became the most watched Telugu GEC after the launch of Bigg Boss Telugu with a record viewership and GRPs not garnered by any Telugu GEC.{{Cite web|title=బిగ్‌బాస్: రెండో వారం రేటింగ్ పగిలిపోయింది|url=https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/ntr-bigg-boss-second-week-trp-ratings/amp_articleshow/59916653.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322165927/https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/ntr-bigg-boss-second-week-trp-ratings/amp_articleshow/59916653.cms|archive-date=22 March 2021|website=The Times of India}} In week 26 while it had 529 GRPs in week 28, it jumped to 828. While as in week 28, it was at third position, in week 29, it became the most watched Telugu GEC.{{Cite web|title=Jr NTR's Bigg Boss Telugu Tops TRP Charts Making Star Maa No. 1 Telugu TV Channel|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/jr-ntrs-bigg-boss-telugu-tops-trp-charts-making-star-maa-no-1-telugu-tv-channel-736197|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322171526/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/jr-ntrs-bigg-boss-telugu-tops-trp-charts-making-star-maa-no-1-telugu-tv-channel-736197|archive-date=22 March 2021|website=International Business Times|date=27 July 2017}}{{Cite web|title=Bigg Boss Telugu TRP Ratings: Rana's No 1 Yaari Is Way Ahead Of NTR's TV Show|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/bigg-boss-telugu-trp-ratings-ranas-no-1-yaari-way-ahead-ntrs-tv-show-740424|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322171810/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/bigg-boss-telugu-trp-ratings-ranas-no-1-yaari-way-ahead-ntrs-tv-show-740424|archive-date=22 March 2021|website=International Business Times|date=31 August 2017}} In week 34 of 2018, it became the third most watched Indian Television channel with 936 GRPs.{{Cite web|title=Star Maa is 3rd highest viewed channel in the country|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/viewership/star-maa-is-3rd-highest-viewed-channel-in-the-country-180831|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322170100/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/viewership/star-maa-is-3rd-highest-viewed-channel-in-the-country-180831|archive-date=22 March 2021|website=Indian Television dot com|date=31 August 2018 }} In week 30 of 2019, it garnered its highest GRP of 1108 being third most watched Indian channel.{{Cite web|title=Star Maa becomes no.3 GEC|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/gecs/star-maa-becomes-no3-gec-190801|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322172602/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/gecs/star-maa-becomes-no3-gec-190801|archive-date=22 March 2021|website=Indian Television dot com|date=August 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Bigg Boss Telugu S3 propels growth of Star Maa|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/regional/bigg-boss-telugu-s3-propels-growth-of-star-maa-190825|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402051346/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/regional/bigg-boss-telugu-s3-propels-growth-of-star-maa-190825|archive-date=2 April 2021|website=Indian Television dot com|date=25 August 2019 }}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.hotstar.com/in/channels/star-maa}}

{{Star TV}}

{{Telugu Language Television}}

Category:Telugu-language television channels

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2002

Category:2002 establishments in Andhra Pradesh

Category:Television stations in Hyderabad

Category:Disney Star