MTV Channel
A Sri Lankan media company operating national television channels and related digital media properties.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd is a Sri Lankan media company whose business is centered on television broadcasting and related media services. The company operates three national television channels: Shakthi TV, Sirasa TV, and TV 1. These channels form a multi-brand broadcasting portfolio serving different audience and language segments in Sri Lanka. In addition to its television operations, MTV Channel has owned or operated the Hit TV and News First properties, as well as the digital platform Ethalaya.com, giving the company a presence across television, news, entertainment, and online publishing. The company was established in 1992 as a joint venture between Capital Maharaja and Singapore Telecommunications. This founding structure connected a Sri Lankan media and business group with a major Singapore-based telecommunications company. In 1998, Singapore Telecommunications sold its stake in MTV Channel to Gregson Holdings Ltd. The reference material also records a later investment by International Media Management, although it does not specify the investment date, transaction terms, ownership percentage, or the company’s current shareholder structure. MTV Channel is therefore best understood as a Sri Lankan broadcasting company rather than the global music-television brand commonly associated with the initials MTV. Its principal role is to own and manage local media outlets, including national television channels and digital news or entertainment properties. The available reference material does not provide a detailed account of its programming strategy, audience figures, revenues, current executives, headquarters, or present corporate ownership. Its established business scope, however, indicates a diversified local media portfolio spanning general television, Tamil-language broadcasting, news, entertainment, and digital content.
History
MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd was established in Sri Lanka in 1992 as a joint venture between Capital Maharaja and Singapore Telecommunications. The venture created a corporate platform for television broadcasting and media development in the Sri Lankan market. The available reference does not identify the individuals who founded or managed the company at launch, nor does it provide details about its initial channel launches or early programming strategy. A significant ownership change took place in 1998, when Singapore Telecommunications sold its shareholding in MTV Channel to Gregson Holdings Ltd. This transaction changed the company’s shareholder composition while leaving the available material silent on the precise stake transferred or the commercial terms of the sale. At a later stage, International Media Management invested in the company. The date, scale, and structure of that investment are not specified in the available source, so its effect on control and governance cannot be established from the reference material alone. Over time, MTV Channel developed a portfolio of Sri Lankan television and digital properties. Its principal national television channels are Shakthi TV, Sirasa TV, and TV 1. The company has also been associated with Hit TV, News First, and Ethalaya.com. Together, these properties indicate an expansion beyond a single television service into a broader media network covering general broadcasting, Tamil-language television, news, entertainment, and online content. The available source does not document a complete chronology of channel launches, rebrands, programming changes, audience performance, regulatory events, or recent ownership developments. It also does not identify current directors or executives. On the evidence available, MTV Channel is a Sri Lankan media company with a national broadcasting footprint and a diversified portfolio of television and digital media assets. Further research would be required to provide a fully dated corporate and editorial history.
- 1998Singapore Telecommunications exits its investment
Singapore Telecommunications sold its share in MTV Channel to Gregson Holdings Ltd.
- 1992Company established
MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd was formed in Sri Lanka as a joint venture between Capital Maharaja and Singapore Telecommunications.
- International Media Management investment
International Media Management later invested in the company; the source does not provide a date or transaction details.
Products and positioning
A Sri Lankan multi-platform media operator built around national television broadcasting, with additional news, entertainment, and digital media properties.
Shakthi TVTelevision channel
A national Sri Lankan television channel in MTV Channel’s broadcasting portfolio. The available reference identifies it as one of the company’s three principal national channels but does not provide detailed information about its programming schedule, launch date, or audience profile.
Sirasa TVTelevision channel
A national television channel operated within the MTV Channel portfolio. The source lists it alongside Shakthi TV and TV 1 as one of the company’s core national broadcasting services, without specifying its launch history or detailed editorial positioning.
TV 1Television channel
A national Sri Lankan television channel owned by MTV Channel. It is identified in the source as part of the company’s principal three-channel television operation; further details about its programming and development are not provided.
Hit TVTelevision channel
A television property associated with MTV Channel. The available material names Hit TV among the company’s media holdings but does not establish its launch date, precise format, current operating status, or relationship to the company’s national channels.
News FirstNews media property
A news-focused media property owned by or associated with MTV Channel. It represents the company’s presence in news and current-affairs media, although the supplied reference does not describe its platforms, editorial structure, or launch history in detail.
Ethalaya.comDigital media platform
An online media property included among MTV Channel’s holdings. Its listing demonstrates the company’s participation in digital publishing or online content distribution, but the available source does not provide further information about its content model or current operations.
Flagship businesses
- Shakthi TV
- Sirasa TV
- TV 1
- Hit TV
- News First
- Ethalaya.com
Brand decisions
- 1998Transfer of Singapore Telecommunications’ stakeM&A
MTV Channel had been established as a joint venture involving Singapore Telecommunications and Capital Maharaja. In 1998, Singapore Telecommunications chose to sell its shareholding.
What changed. Singapore Telecommunications sold its stake in MTV Channel to Gregson Holdings Ltd.
Aftermath. The transaction altered the company’s shareholder structure. The available source does not state whether Gregson Holdings became the controlling shareholder or provide the financial terms.
Sources
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