In what is claimed to be a first in India, the Tamil language channel Raj TV today launched a teleport facility in the southern city of Chennai.

The formal dedication of the teleport was done by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, union minister for human resources development, at the Park Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Chennai at 10 am.

Raj TV is the first private satellite network with a teleport facility licence in India and the first network to offer two 24-hour Tamil entertainment channels. It was also the first Tamil channel to go fully digital. It also claims to be the first channel to host a daily quiz show, an English news bulletin, and institute rewards for academic excellence.

The channel also effectively mobilises people power for social causes with its programs, besides honouring legendary Tamil filmstars, its publicists say.

The formal launch, a well-attended affair, was carried live on the Raj TV Network.