GECs
TV channels unleash slew of special programming for Independence Day
The entire nation will be waiting to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech from the historic Red Fort. The country paralysed by deadlock in the Parliament due to constant protest from opposition, will be desperately listening to the PM’s verses via different news channels, radio and other mediums.
While ‘One Rank One Pension’ is already trending on social media, various gallantry awards are also scheduled to be distributed, this Independence Day.
The Independence Day celebrations will not just be restricted to the political class as numerous channels are set to roll out special programming for their viewers. The programming mix on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence Day across television channels of various genres is as follows:
English News Channels
ET Now
The ET Now special coverage will have half an hour interview with Godrej Industries chairman Adi Godrej. Sandeep Gurumurthi will interview Godrej at 5.30 pm on 15 August. The channel will also relay Prime Minister’s speech in the morning. Live panel discussion on Modi’s ideas with panelists and big voices from the corporate world will also be in the list of special programming of Independence Day from 12 – 12.30 pm and 9 – 10 pm.
India Today Television
Women are going to be at the forefront of India Today Television’s Independence day programming, with topics like ‘Are women as independent as men?’ ‘Chak De Girls – On the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’ and Rajdeep Sardesai with the ‘Unsung Heroes’.
In addition, the channel will also be airing ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told – 40 Years Of Sholay’, ‘I Am Sania’ – Sania Special Context – Getting The Khel Ratna as well as Sumitra Mahajan’s interview with Karan Thapar.
Times Now
Times Nows’ Independence Day coverage will begin with the live coverage of Modi’s speech followed by a special one hour independence day show of TotaI Recall. Stories and vignettes from across India on how Independence day was celebrated will be aired through the day.
English Entertainment & Movies
AXN India
This Independence Day, Jack Bauer will battle and abolish crime with the iconic television series 24 Live Another Day on 15 – 16 August from 12 – 5 pm on AXN India.
Disney
Disney will be bringing in two beloved characters, Captain Tiao and Nikki (from Best of Luck Nikki) to share the meaning of Independence Day and showcase how will they be spending the day this year.
HBO Defined
HBO Defined gears up to celebrate the I-Day weekend with a line-up of movies, which will be 100 per cent ad-free. Beginning 15 August, 10 am onwards, the channel will showcaseThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Ender’s Game, Noah, I, Frankenstein, Gravity andNow You See Me.
“We invite our audience to celebrate the spirit of freedom with their favorite movies on HBO Premium channel, HBO Defined, this Independence Day by not just offering exceptional titles but also presenting them with a completely memorable uninterrupted viewing experience,” said HBO marketing and business development director Shonali Bedi.
Movies Now
The channel will air a day long salute to the bravery with stories of ordinary people who display extraordinary courage to break free from constraints imposed them. The lineup features tittles like Avatar, Life of Pi, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and The Dark Knight Rises.
MN+
MN+ will give viewers an in-depth look into the story that shook the world. The line-up features two back to back movies on whistleblower Julian Assange.
Underground: The Julian Assange Story and Steal Secrets: The story of Wikileaks will feature on MN+ as special programming for Independence Day.
Speaking on the programming, Times Network English Entertainment cluster SVP and head Vivek Srivastava said, “For this Independence Day, our theme is saluting and celebrating bravery and the indomitable human spirit. We have stories of ordinary people who display extraordinary courage to break free from constraints imposed on them. On Movies Now, we are screening ‘Fight for Freedom’ from 9 am onwards.”
“Under classifiled section, we will air the popular film – Underground: The Julian Assange Story followed by We Steal Secrets, the story of Wikileaks on MN+. The story emerges the details how a hacker transformed himself to a world saving whistleblower against the worldwide socio-economic and socio-political injustice. It is about freedom of press, speech and rights. By screening these films, we at MN+ and Movies Now want to celebrate the spirit of humanism and the eternal will of our race to stand upright,” he added.
Sony Pix
Exciting series of Indiana Jones based on adventures and mystery of Dr. Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones, a fictional archaeologist by none other than the legendary George Lucas will be Sony Pix’s offering for Indians on Independence Day.
The programming will start with the search for the Ark of the Covenant in the movie The Raiders of the Lost Ark, which will be aired at 11 am. Indiana Jones will take viewers on his classic trilogy ride with The Last Crusade at 1.30 pm, followed by The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at 4.30 pm.
Star Movies Select HD
Star Movies Select HD – the channel, which has committed to showcasing fresh stories every day of the year, will premier Wes Anderson’s cinematic masterpiece, The Grand Budapest Hotel on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence day. The channel will premier the movie at 9 pm on 15 August.
VH1
This 15 August at 9 am and 10 pm, Vh1 will liberate viewers from the shackles of doubt with Vh1 Artist Select: Independence Day Special. Indian artists will reveal what’s playing on their playlist. From knowing that the B.L.O.T boys love hip hop and to knowing what Dualist Inquiry listens to on their playlist, the channel will give viewers complete dope on Indian artists’ favorite tunes.
Hindi Entertainment & Movies
&TV
For Independence Day, &TV will air four special promos through the day. In addition to that, a special end page carrying Independence Day wishes has been created across all promos on air on 15 August. The logo will also carry Independence Day wishes through the day.
Colors
On 15 August at 8:30 pm, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be seen promoting his upcoming film Manjhi on Colors’ show Udaan. He will be seen partaking in the flag-hoisting ceremony and deliver a speech on inspiration and hope leading to freedom.
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded at 9 pm will have a special Independence Day show with the contestants showcasing performances themed around independence and freedom. Most contestants have designed their performances around Indian dance forms.
Epic
The Epic Channel is all set to celebrate the spirit of patriotism this Independence Day by airing back-to-back episodes from the recently launched show Stories by Rabindranath Tagore directed by Anurag Basu. The Independence Day special on 15 August will be aired from 12 – 9 pm.
Sony
Sony Entertainment Television will premiere the blockbuster Piku starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan at 8 pm. The movie will be followed by a special episode of the show Crime Patrol.
Sony Max & Max 2
The combination of Sony Max and Max 2 brings to its viewers a formidable line-up of patriotic movies on the occasion of Independence Day. With movies such as Indian, Chak! De India, Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, viewers will be privy to an entire day of enjoyable movie watching experience.
Max and Max 2 senior executive vice president and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “To commemorate the nation’s independence, we thought of showcasing films on both channels that are evocative of the struggle and triumph of victory in different realms of life and through different eras. With our endeavour to constantly provide our viewers with the best films, we hope to arouse a feeling of patriotism with an engrossing bouquet of films on both channels.”
Note: The channels are listed in Alphabetical order.
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.
