GECs
MTV launches Nick block on Malaysian broadcaster TV9
MUMBAI: MTV Asia has launched a Nickelodeon block on Malaysia’s terrestrial television channel, TV9. Branded as Nick di 9, it will reach over seven million households in Malaysia.
Nickelodeon’s properties include SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Dubbed in Bahasa Melayu, Nick di 9 will be aired daily for three hours from 3pm to 6pm. Now kids in Malaysia can also enjoy these award-winning pre-school shows including Blue’s Clues and Dora the Explorer on Mondays to Thursday; while from Friday to Sundays, they can look forward to hilarious fun with Nicktoons like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
TV 9 is Malaysia’s first free-to-air channel to provide an uninterrupted kids’ block 7 days a week. With the tagline Dekat di Hati, TV9 is the Malay channel targeting to Malays who strongly associate themselves with positive values.
MTV South East Asia senior VP and GM Christopher James says, “At Nickelodeon, we put kids first in everything we do and with Nick di 9, we will be reaching out to Malaysian kids in the language that they speak. This mutually rewarding relationship with TV9 will help both parties to better reach out to kids and families in Malaysia.
“The launch of Nick di 9 as a Bahasa Melayu block is a significant development in the overall expansion of the brand across South-East Asia”
TV9 COO Bukhari Che Muda says, “Responding to the Government’s call to put Bahasa Melayu as the first spoken language in Malaysia, TV9 has taken the initiative to dub all Nick’s cartoons into Bahasa Melayu. This cartoon lineup being dubbed in Bahasa Melayu is the best way of educating kids to speak in their first language. Now TV9 kids can truly enjoy their favorite cartoon characters, singing and laughing along with them in the same language”.
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.
