Kerala Chief Minister Mr. Oommen chandy inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony of MediaOne headquarters and studio complex at Velliparambu near Kozhikode. On 16 June 2012, former Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian AffairsVayalar Ravi unveiled the MediaOne Logo at KochiLe Meridian convention hall. The channel was officially launched on 10 February 2013 by former Defence Minister A K Antony at a gala function held at Swapna Nagari, Kozhikode. former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy,former Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan, former Kerala IT & Industry Minister P.K Kunhalikutty, film director Ranjith, BJP Leader Adv. Sreedharan Pillai, novelist Mukundan, Jama-ate Islami Hind - Kerala Amir T Arifali, and Madhyamam-MediaOne group editor O.Abdurahiman also delivered felicitation speeches in the function. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy delivered the inaugural address while the leader of the OppositionV S Achuthanandan inaugurated the studio complex and former Industries minister P K Kunjalikutty inaugurated the news studio. Malayalam film director Ranjith released the Signature Music of Media One TV at the inaugural ceremony. Established in 1987, Madhyamam has within two decades added 11 editions in India and 9 in the Middle East, and is the largest circulated international Indian newspaper. Established in 1987, Madhyamam has within two decades added 11 editions in India and 9 in the Middle East, and is the largest circulated international Indian newspaper.
Coverage, viewership and impact
MediaOne TV is widely accepted by Malayalis because of its alternative media culture based on moral and human values. The channel boasts of the highly advanced technology, presents a unique treat in both visuals and content. It is the most popular Malayalam channel among Kerala expats in the Middle East. MediaOne's Facebook page reached one million followers within first 29 months of broadcasting. Now, MediaOne became the third Malayalam News channel out of many to reach the 2 million follower threshold in Facebook, after Asianet and Manorama News. MediaOne crossed 2 Million+ subscribers in YouTube within a short span. It is the 3rd Malayalam News channel to cross 2 Million subscribers in YouTube, after Asiane and Manorama News. MediaOne emerged as one of the favourite News channel of Keralites who wish to watch Live TV news through YouTube. Besides Faceook and YouTube, MediaOne has large number of followers in other social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter due to its genuine,unbiased and latest news reporting.
Aneesh Ravi won Best Anchor awards in Kerala State Television Awards 2013 for the programme Cucumber City.
Sunil Baby and Sajith Ajmal of Media One were selected the best investigative journalists for the programme Truth Inside in Kerala State Television Awards 2013.
Mediaonetv was presented five awards in the state television awards for the year 2016 in different categories.
The award for best news presentator was given to Mediaonetv broadcast journalist KR Gopikrishnan. Special Edition, a news-based debate program bagged him the award. Mr Arun Kumar, who led the ‘Kerala Summit’, was presented with the award for best anchor/presentator. ‘Beyond the Headline’, a weekly program telecasted on Mediaonetv, was selected as the best television show. The award was presented to Sanoop Sasidharan, reporter at Mediaonetv who prepared the episode namely ‘Vaipinile Amma’. Syam Krishnan was presented with the award for best science and environment documentary. The award was received by Mediaonetv Public Relations manager Shakkir Jameel.
Criticism and Controversies
In February–March 2014, an autobiography of Gail Tredwell a former female disciple and closest personal attendant of Mata Amritanandamayi titled Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness made big allegation against Mata Amritanandamayi and her Ashram in Kerala. The book sponsored by Christian missionaries alleges that a senior follower of the Ashram, Balu had sexual relationship with Mata Amritanandamayi and the author for many years. It also alleges that Amritanandamayi behaved in very rude aggressive manner and abuses the author for many years. The mainstream media of Kerala was feared to report about the allegation made by the book. In accordance with an order from Ernakulam judicial first magistrate court, on 11 March 2014, Kerala Police registered a case against Gail Tredwell and Media organisations TV channels Indiavision, Reporter, Media One TV and newspapers Thejas and Madhyamam, in response to a petition In March 2020, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prohibited the transmission or re-transmission of Media One TV for 48 hours, along with Asianet News TV, accusing biased reporting of North East Delhi riots. The action came into effect from Friday 7.30 pm and will be in effect till 7.30 pm on Sunday, March 8. Among the reasons cited by the Information and Broadcasting ministry in banning Media One was this: "Channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters. It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS. The ban on media one triggered a torrent of criticism against the government. Protests were held at many parts of the state.As a result the government was forced to allow media one to restart their broadcast within just 14 hours of the ban."
