Back in October 2025 in the Dravidian Model regime, Puthiya Thalaimurai channel was allegedly taken off air by the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited (TACTV) leading to strong reactions from journalists and viewers. The move, reportedly made without prior notice, revived debates over political control of state-run media distribution and freedom of expression.
Now with the Joseph Vijay government in power, we are seeing a similar pattern.
On 28 May 2026, Puthiya Thalaimurai put out a news card requesting the Chief Minister for a press meet. It said, “Chief Minister Vijay ignores reporters. It is a tradition for Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers to give interviews when they visit Delhi; Jayalalithaa, Edappadi Palaniswami, Stalin… all met with reporters. A trip to Delhi is an opportunity to speak to the whole of India. It is important that Tamil Nadu’s voice comes out in the national media; Chief Minister Vijay, who has not met reporters in Chennai since taking office, also left for Tamil Nadu, shunning reporters in Delhi. The Delhi interview of the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and West Bengal attracted attention. When is the press conference, Chief Minister?”
This came after CM Vijay did not meet the press following his meeting with the Prime Minister.
That Reporter: Sir, Yarum Press ah meet pannama ponathilla Sir…. Don’t break that legacy Sir….
Thalapathy: We will break Everything…! 😎
😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/s9jX8PTaul
— Swara TVK ❤️💛 (@SwaraVijay_) May 28, 2026
Within a short while, news came in that Puthiya Thalaimurai channel was ‘demoted’ in Arasu Cable from channel. As per reports, the channel was pushed down from number 44 to number 61.
Just now confirmed with PT team.
என்ன இது? திமுக ஆட்சில தான் சேனல்களை பின்னாடி தூக்கி போட்ற வேலைய பண்ணாங்க, இப்ப நாமளுமா? யார் சொல்லி இதெல்லாம் நடக்குது??
எத்தனை விமர்சனம் வந்தாலும் அதை எல்லாம் கொஞ்சம் கூட யோசிக்காம பழிவாங்கனும்ன்னு நினைக்காம கடந்து போறவர் தான் தளபதி. இதெல்லாம்… https://t.co/2CBVUiA1ru— Sonia Arunkumar (@rajakumaari) May 28, 2026
This is the third time that Puthiya Thalaimurai has faced such a situation. In 2017, the channel was temporarily removed from the Arasu Cable network after airing a survey related to the RK Nagar by-election, which was reportedly viewed as unfavourable to politician V.K. Sasikala.
The latest incident has also drawn attention from within Tamil media circles. Commentators have pointed out that when Puthiya Thalaimurai was taken off air during the previous AIADMK government, the channel had publicly raised the issue through its own broadcasts and social media handles. However, this time, despite reports of its removal circulating widely, the channel itself has not made any official statement or post about the issue on its platforms.
In 2025, it was removed from Arasu Cable under the DMK government and now in 2026, they have been pushed down the channel list.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
