Television and Radio Channels in Sri Lanka

 

Television Channels in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a mix of state-owned and private TV channels that cater to Sinhala, Tamil, and English-speaking audiences.

1. State-Owned TV Channels

These are managed by the government and focus mainly on public service, education, and cultural promotion.

• Rupavahini (SLRC) – The national television network of Sri Lanka. It broadcasts in Sinhala and covers news, education, religious content, and cultural programs.
• Channel Eye – An English-language channel under SLRC. It focuses on sports, youth shows, and documentaries.
• Nethra TV – A Tamil-language channel from SLRC offering cultural programs, religious shows, and news.
• ITN (Independent Television Network) – Another government-owned Sinhala-language channel that broadcasts teledramas, news, educational shows, and talk shows.
• Vasantham TV – The Tamil arm of ITN, featuring dramas, talk shows, and cultural content.

2. Privately-Owned TV Channels

These are commercially run channels focused on entertainment, news, reality shows, and more.

• Sirasa TV – A popular Sinhala entertainment channel owned by MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd, part of the Capital Maharaja Group.
• Shakthi TV – A Tamil-language channel also owned by the Capital Maharaja Group.
• TV 1 – Offers content in English and Sinhala, targeting youth, also under MTV/MBC Network.
• Derana TV – A widely watched Sinhala channel known for teledramas and news, owned by Derana Macro Entertainment.
• Ada Derana 24 – A 24-hour Sinhala news channel from the Derana group.
• Hiru TV – Popular for teledramas and reality shows in Sinhala, owned by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Ben Holdings).
• Swarnavahini – Offers entertainment and news in Sinhala, owned by EAP Broadcasting Company.
• Siyatha TV – A Sinhala channel owned by Voice of Asia Network, featuring music, dramas, and live shows.
• Varnam TV – Tamil-language entertainment channel from Voice of Asia Network.
• TNL TV – A channel that mixes Sinhala and English content, owned by Telshan Networks.
• ART TV – An English-language channel known for business, culture, and art programs, owned by IWS Holdings.

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Radio Channels in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a strong radio broadcasting sector with stations in all three major languages.

1. State-Owned Radio Stations (SLBC)

Managed by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, these are some of the oldest radio services in Asia.

• SLBC National Service (Sinhala) – Focuses on news, religious programs, and traditional music.
• SLBC Tamil National Service – Offers cultural programs and news in Tamil.
• SLBC English Service – Plays classical and western music, talk shows, and educational content.
• City FM – Youth-oriented station with modern music in Sinhala.

2. Privately-Owned Radio Stations

These are more entertainment-focused and commercially successful.

3.Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Ben Holdings)

• Hiru FM – Sinhala station known for music and news.
• Sha FM – Youth music and talk.
• Sooriyan FM – No.1 Tamil radio station.
• Sun FM – English pop music.
• Gold FM – English classics and old hits.

4. Capital Maharaja Group (MBC Networks)

• Sirasa FM – Popular Sinhala channel.
• Shakthi FM – Tamil station with strong rural reach.
• Yes FM – Youth English music station.
• Y FM – Focuses on young Sinhala-speaking audiences.

5. Voice of Asia Network

• Siyatha FM – Sinhala entertainment.
• Varnam FM – Tamil-language pop and culture.
• Kiss FM – English pop and electronic music.

6. EAP Broadcasting (Colombo Communications Ltd)

• Shree FM – Sinhala language radio.
• E FM – English radio station focused on lifestyle and hits.

7. Telshan Networks (TNL Radio Network)

• TNL Radio – Rock and alternative music in English.
• Lite FM – Soft pop and adult contemporary in English.