Asianet News is a prominent Malayalam-language news channel based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It operates under the umbrella of the Asianet News Network (ANN), a subsidiary of Jupiter Entertainment Ventures. Established on May 1, 2003, following the rebranding of its predecessor, Asianet Global, the channel has become a leading source of news for Malayalam-speaking audiences.
The origins of Asianet News trace back to June 2001 with the launch of Asianet Global, aimed at serving the expatriate Malayali community in the Middle East and Europe. However, due to limited news content, the channel transitioned to an entertainment format as “Asianet Plus.” In May 2003, the news channel concept was revived, leading to the relaunch as Asianet News.
In late 2006, Bangalore-based businessman Rajeev Chandrasekhar acquired a 51% stake in the Asianet channels through Jupiter Entertainment Ventures, with the remaining 49% held by founder Raji Menon. This acquisition positioned Asianet News as a significant player in Kerala’s media landscape.
Asianet News has maintained a reputation for its secular and progressive stance. However, in October 2016, an internal email surfaced, revealing attempts to influence editorial policies. The email suggested that new editorial recruits should align with Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s ideological views. This led to internal pushback and raised concerns about editorial independence.