Asianet News Live: Kerala’s Premier News Portal and Its Evolution
Introduction
Asianet News Live isn’t just a channel — it’s a media institution that transformed how Malayalis consumed news. Launched in 1995 as India’s first live private-sector broadcast, it ushered in a new era of regional journalism. Over time, it has evolved into a leading Malayalam-language news channel with a significant digital footprint. In this blog post, we’ll explore Asianet News Live’s origins, digital transformation, current offerings, and its impact on news media in Kerala and beyond.
Origins and Evolution
Asianet News Network (ANN) began as the news department of Asianet in 1995 with the first live private-sector news broadcast in India. By 2003, it had become a 24-hour Malayalam news channel, and in 2009, it became a fully independent entity under Asianxt Digital Technologies
Headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Asianet News quickly became a household name — known for its timely reporting and journalistic integrity
Asianet News Live in the Digital Era
Live Streaming & OTT Expansion
To keep pace with digital consumption trends, Asianet News Live expanded online. Available via its official website and mobile app, the channel now supports live TV streaming, on-demand news, and video uploads
They also migrated their VOD infrastructure to a unified cloud-based OTT platform using Brightcove Video Cloud — a move that streamlined multilingual content delivery and enhanced performance across platforms
Features and Content Offerings
The Asianet News app offers:
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Live streaming of Asianet News and Suvarna News (Kannada)
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Regional language coverage: Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Bangla
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News categories: National, international, business, sports, health, entertainment, tech, lifestyle, crime, etc.
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Customizable reading (font, background color), alerts, and social sharing
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Special features like News Shorts, live blogs, and dark mode in recent updates
Content & Platform Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Live TV | 24×7 live streaming of Asianet News and Suvarna News |
| Multi-language coverage | Supports Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Bangla |
| News Categories | Wide-ranging topics: politics, business, sports, health, entertainment, tech, crime, lifestyle |
| App Features | Custom alerts, adjustable readability, social sharing, dark mode |
| OTT Infrastructure | Cloud-based VCMS for multilingual VOD streaming |
Audience Reach and Credibility
Market Leadership & Reach
Asianet News is consistently ranked among the top regional news channels in Kerala, regularly leading BARC ratings. Its digital presence — via app, live web stream, and social channels — makes it accessible to Malayalis globally.
Perception and Trust
Reddit discussions highlight varying audience perceptions:
“Asianet has an Independent Editorial policy” — yet many point out a pro-BJP tilt in recent coverage
Some users appreciate its election results coverage, citing it as more reliable than others
Criticisms about sensationalist reporting also surface, reminding viewers of the need for discernment
User Experience: Live TV, App, and Engagement
Platform Accessibility
Whether viewers tune in via cable or OTT, Asianet News Live ensures uninterrupted access through its website and mobile platforms. The app simplifies navigation with features like photo galleries, video segments, adjustable viewing settings, and notification controls
Unique User Features
Recent app updates offer:
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News Shorts — Quick summaries for on-the-go users
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Live Blogs — Real-time updates on major stories
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Dark Mode — Improved readability during late-night use
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Cricket Center — Dedicated space for live scores and match news
Strengths, Challenges, and Viewer Insights
Strengths
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First-Mover Advantage in Malayalam broadcast journalism
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Extensive digital footprint across languages and platforms
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Rich content variety with in-depth analysis and speciality shows
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Technologically advanced infrastructure for seamless OTT delivery
Challenges
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Editorial biases and sensational coverage can undermine credibility
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Competition from newer digital news platforms and social media
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Platform discoverability issues — some users report difficulty finding live streams on YouTube or TV apps
Insights from Viewers
“Asianet News is better compared to other channels when it comes to election result live news.”
Concerns about editorial slant: “Asianet is pro BJP… not anymore neutral.”
Conclusion
Asianet News Live has journeyed from humble beginnings to become a trusted news source for Malayalis, combining traditional broadcast strengths with digital innovation. With live TV, robust regional language offerings, and advanced app features, it remains a dominant force in regional journalism.
At the same time, to maintain credibility and relevance, it must address challenges related to editorial perception, audience trust, and platform visibility. As Indian media leans further into digital democratization, Asianet News Live’s ongoing evolution will be critical to its legacy.
