GECs
Bhutan’s BBS TV expands operations
MUMBAI: The Bhutan government has expanded the reach of its BBS Television by linking it to Insat 4A. The service is now provided through the cable service and those without cable connections can download the transmission with a dish and a receiver.
The International Telecommunication Union has aided the uplinking facility with US $ 300,000, while the Government of India has agreed to give BBSC the satellite transport hiring charges for three years, amounting to about Nu. 18 million. According to media reports, a total of 35 countries in Asia and the Middle East have confirmed that they are receiving BBS TV live transmission.
Speaking at the launch, BBSC MD Mingbo Dukpa expressed his hopes that the channel expansion would effectively fight the foreign TV channel invasion. “Today there are over 40 foreign channels available, inundating us with numerous foreign programmes, advertisement and news. With its nation-wide reach BBS TV can now counter the so-called audio-visual invasion by foreign channels,” he said.
Viewers in Kanglung and Yonphula in Trashigang, Yadi and Drametse in Mongar, Paro, Phuentsholing and Thimphu will also be able to catch the transmission on Yagi antenna through a terrestrial transmitter. BBSC, reportedly, plans to reinstall these terrestrial transmitters in remote areas that do not have cable television.
BBS television was launched on 2 June 1999, with a one-hour broadcast in Thimphu. It was merged with the radio in the initial phase.
GECs
&TV brings Women’s Day shine to Lucknow mall
Shilpa Shinde joins “Selfie Lo. Shine Karo. Star Ban Jaao!” activation on 8 March.
MUMBAI: This Women’s Day, &TV is handing women the mirror and the spotlight because sometimes the best reflection is the one that finally says “star”. &TV is taking its celebration of strong, confident women off-screen with a lively on-ground initiative at a prominent mall in Lucknow on 7–8 March 2026. The activation, titled “Selfie Lo. Shine Karo. Star Ban Jaao!”, invites women to click empowering selfies at a specially designed mirror installation framed with a symbolic crown and bold messages such as Women & Confident, Women & Boss, Women & Independent, and Women & Carefree. The crown carries the core emotion, “She is her own hero. Her own cheerleader. Her own power.”
Adding star power to the event, beloved actress Shilpa Shinde (popularly known as Angoori Bhabi from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! 2.0) will attend on 8 March, interacting with participants. Select women will get the chance to meet her, and one lucky winner will be featured in an upcoming episode on &TV turning a simple selfie into a real on-screen star moment.
The initiative is rooted in the belief that women often celebrate others but rarely pause to acknowledge themselves. By creating a joyful space for self-recognition and confidence, &TV is extending its on-air narratives of empowered women into real life.
Shilpa Shinde said, “I truly believe confidence begins with how we see ourselves. I am very happy that &TV is creating a platform where women are not just celebrated but also given a chance to be seen and recognised.”
&TV chief channel officer and Zee5, business head for hindi Kaveri Das added, “At &TV, we don’t just tell stories of strong women, we actively create platforms for them. This Women’s Day initiative is our way of moving beyond celebration and enabling real visibility.”
In a world quick to spotlight others, &TV is flipping the script reminding every woman that the most powerful story she can star in is her own, one confident selfie at a time.
