Sun TV Network has decided to raise advertisement rates by 3-30% across channels/shows by next month (Feb 2008).

The company runs satellite television channels in four different languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

According to the company’s press release to the BSE, “with the sustained viewership and consistent higher ratings, the company is increasing its advertisement rates with effect from February 1, 2008, in the Tamil channel Sun by 10-21%, in Telugu channel Gemini TV by 15%, in Kannada channel Udaya TV by 10-20 %, and in Malayalam Channel Surya TV by 3-13%.”

The release added, “In two programmes of the company whose TRPs are extremely high, the hike in advertisement rates is over 30%. For other channels like Sun Music, Sun News, Gemini Music, Gemini News, Teja, Udaya Movies, Udaya Varthagalu, Udaya II and Kiran, the increase in advertisement rates range from 10-25%.”

"Simultaneously, the slot fees (broadcast fees) received from the content producers is also increased proportionately effective February 15, 2008."

The shares of the company zoomed 4% following the recent announcement.

At 11:42 am, the share was at Rs 436.80 on the BSE, up 4.05 per cent. It also touched a high of Rs 441.80 and low of Rs 416 on volume of 1,63,541 shares.