Media Economy People
Literacy Culture Govt.
Marathi Media

Maharashtra comprises three conventional regions: western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and Marathwada. It is divided administratively into 30 districts, which are themselves divided into talukas (administrative units).

There are currently 500 marathi language publications catering to this group. Some prominent ones are -

  • Loksatta
  • Sakal
  • Lokmat
  • Maharashtra Times
  • Navakal

Marathi Diwali Publications
Marathi publications make the most out of the popular festival in Maharashtra "Diwali" and publish special issues on the same during September/October or one month before the festival.

The circulation for the Diwali special issues increases almost more than 50% over their regular issue. In fact Sakal which had a regular circulation of 37,000 claims to have circulated 3,50,000 copies of the special issue in 2000, almost ten-fold.

In the year 2000 around 400 publications brought out a special issue, but over the years there has been a marginal fall in numbers indicating decreasing advertiser interest. Rather advertisers have remained with more established publications, thus leading to closures of some like Marathwada and Meera Madhura.

The trend in rate changes per year also strengthens this view as you will see from the table below where most have either effected a marginal increase in rates or not changed at all.

Publication (Year 1999)
Full Page BW Rate Rs.		 (Year 2000)
Full Page BW Rate Rs.
Akshar 6000 8000
Awaz 7950 8950
Dhananjay 4000 5000
Kesari 15000 15000
Lokmat 15000 20000
Lokprabha 32500 32500
Maharashtra Times 20000 22000
Sakal 13000 15000
Shree Va Sau 5000 5000
Vivek 6000 6000
Charchaugi 8000 10000
Grihashobika 42000 42000
Chitralekha 54000 54000

There are two state owned DD1 Mumbai (Terrestrial) which has specific Marathi program time bands and DD Sahyadri (Satelite) channels. Private satelite channels are Alpha Marathi, ETV Marathi, Tara Marathi and Prabhat.
The scenario with Marathi private satelite channels is not very encouraging what with very low TVRs, insufficient funding, low advertiser interest and reliance on repeat programs. Some are already resorting to staff retrenchment or prospect of going off the air very soon.

For radio, there are around 15 Primary channels, 5 Vividh Bharthi stations and an FM channel.
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