GECs
WWIL Q3 net loss at Rs 159 million
MUMBAI: Wire And Wireless India Limited (WWIL), Zee Group’s demerged cable company, has posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 159 million for the third quarter ended 31 December 2006.
The consolidated revenues stood at Rs 513 million for the quarter and Rs 1.5 billion for the nine-month period. Operating losses were at Rs 33 million after expensing Rs 38 million for office infrastructure. Being the first year of operations for WWIL, the previous period figures are not available.
Commenting on the results Zee chairman Subhash Chandra said, “WWIL has just begun its rollout of digital cable services in the three metros of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and it is encouraging to learn that we have been able to capture almost half of the market in these areas. Our analogue cable business continues to lead industry in connecting millions of television homes. The business initiatives of WWIL towards digitization of cable homes and upgrading of cable infrastructure would become visible in the performance from FY2008 onwards.”
Added WWIL MD Jagjit Singh Kohli, “There is more than expected demand for set top boxes in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. We expect that the industry will need at least 6 million set top boxes for complete roll out in these three metros. Demand for digital signals is equally strong in other cities, not notified under CAS. We see cable providing lot more value added services through digital mode. WWIL is heading towards its goal at an accelerated pace.”
WWIL claims to have deployed 200,000 boxes. Said Kohli, “We believe there is a vast opportunity in cable TV industry, which is going through a rapid phase of consolidation and digitization simultaneously. Our goal is to add 3.4 million subscribers in next two years. Looking ahead, we are confident that continued execution of our distribution strategy would result in a revenue growth faster than that of industry.”
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.
