MUMBAI: Asianet Communications has announced a slew of new initiatives for its main channel Asianet and the youth channel Asianet Plus. These include prime time soaps, sitcoms and talent hunts.

Asianet will unveil a sitcom Sanmamasullavarkku Samadhanam, starting 24 April. The serial will run Monday through Friday at 10 pm. Directed by K V Sasikumar, the serial features Suraj Venjaramood, Mayamaushmi and Narayanankutty in title roles.

In the comedy genre, Asianet has already launched a talent hunt show Minnum Thaaram (Shining Star) for Sundays at 8:30 pm. Anchored by popular film actor Jagadish, the one hour show is the search for the best of comedy talent in Malayalam. The channel is also bringing the popular cartoon serial Turtle Island to Malayalam for the first time. The show will attempt to lure the kids on Sundays at 9:35 am.

A wide ranges of programmes are being launched in Asianet Plus to keep viewers glued to the television during the summer holidays. The half hour show Crazy TV is hosted and woven together by the popular comedy talents Sabumon, Prajod and Joy. The show will have three primary segments in Crazy Records, Funny Games and Sukumaran Reporting. There will be assorted segments by Joy in a pantomime where he is this innocent man who goes about doing things in his simple way but unknowingly set off a chain of accidents and other funny consequences.

Romance and humour are the two themes of film feast that will feature clippings from Malayalam films. The five minute programme Reel News is targeted at ardent film buffs who want to be in tune with all the latest gossip and happenings in mollywood.

Another show Screen Test is a acting talent hunt programme, as the name suggests. The winners will get a chance to act in a serial produced by Asianet Plus.