GECs
Zee launches customised GEC in Africa for French audience
MUMBAI: After launching its English general entertainment channel (GEC) – Zee World in Sub Saharan Africa early this year, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) is all set to launch another channel in the region called Zee Magic.
Zee Magic is a customised GEC for French audiences in Africa, showcasing French dubbed Indian movies, series, food, reality shows and more.
The channel will be available on the Canal Plus Overseas platform on #51 from 1 October, 2015.
Zee Magic will launch with three award winning series namely Remariage, La Promesse and Lien Sacre along with a host of Bollywood movies.
Essel Group & Zeel chairman Dr. Subhash Chandra said, “Our corporate philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ meaning ‘The world is my family’ is at the forefront of bringing authentic and entertaining content to our fast growing audiences across the globe.”
“Zee Magic is a dedicated French offering from Zee for Francophone Africa. All content has undergone extensive research and we are very excited to be the first to offer Bollywood in French to our viewers,” added Zee TV Africa CEO Harish Goyal.
With a worldwide presence with over 36 international channels across 169 countries, Zeel first ventured into Africa 19 years ago as the brand’s first international territory. Its flagship channel Zee TV has been present on DSTV since 1996 and on Canal Plus since 2006.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
