Grab your opportunities with both hands. That's exactly what the recently launched Star Vijay TV appears to have succeeded in doing in its bid to give a run for its money to lead (by a long way) Tamil language regional language Sun TV.

When Vijay TV launched on 1 October, programming pivoted around one blockbuster serial - Marumugal, with filmstar Kushboo making her small screen debut. According to Star Vijay, that effort has paid off.

Marumugal now occupies the number one slot among the top 50 shows during prime time, in the SEC A & B homes in Tamil Nadu, an official release says, quoting the latest market research agency ORG MARG's INTAM report (26 November -1 December).

It obviously helped that Sun TV's top serial Chiththi ended its record shattering run recently. But then that's what taking your chances requires. Kaveri, the show that replaced Chiththi, has not managed to bring in the numbers inspite of also having a film actress - Madhu - playing the central role.

Star Vijay also claims to be the fastest-growing channel in terms of viewership in the SEC A and B segments, which account for 26 per cent of cable and satellite homes in the state. The prime time share for Vijay in the SEC A&B segment has grown to 8.2 per cent (Nov. 2001) compared with 6.8 per cent in the previous month.

According to the report, 41 of the top 50 programmes belong to Sun TV in the prime time band. Across time bands, however, Sun has an even bigger hold on the top 50. Forty-five of its shows, including the top slot (Swayam Waram), is taken by Sun shows.