MUMBAI: After Vijay and Teja, another regional Southern channel has shifted focus to the lucrative afternoon band. Gemini, the Telugu channel from the Sun stable, is now

A still from Moodu Mulla Bandham

beefing up its programming in the siesta hours with an eye on the housewife's viewing patterns.

To launch later this month are three Monday to Friday 'mega serials' that will debut on Gemini in phases, according to Gemini TV director Sharad Kumar. True to afternoon soap tradition, all three

A still from Akka

are women -centric and cast in the familiar family drama-conflict 'n emotion mould.

A still from Mangalyaniki Maro Mudi

Moodu Mulla Bandham that launches 24 November at 12.30 pm, has film actor Pragathi in the lead. Akka starring Indu, Sivakavita and Vanaja will debut shortly on Gemini TV at 1.30 pm. Mangalyaniki Maro Mudi, also in a family drama, will also launch shortly, says Kumar.

Gemini, along with Teja, was one of the first regional channels in the country to go pay late last year. Earlier swamped with programmes dubbed from the originals on Sun TV, Gemini has since last year, beefed up on original programming and made itself a strong contender to the throne in the face of stiff competition provided by ETV.