GECs
Microsoft sells stake, NBC takes control of MSNBC TV
MUMBAI: Microsoft is ending a partnership that had long turned sour. The software giant is selling most of its stake in MSNBC TV, the television venture it had with NBC. The two companies have agreed to dissolve their joint ownership of the cable news channel, with NBC taking control.
NBC Universal will now have 82 per cent stake in MSNBC TV with an option to buy out the rest within two years, according to the agreement. The two companies had a 50-50 partnership in the cable news channel. Neither NBC nor Microsoft, however, disclosed the financial terms in the announcement.
This has not upset the joint holding in the news portal, MSNBC.com. Both Miscrosoft and NBC will continue to share equal ownership in M SNBC.com. “Together, Microsoft and NBC Universal have grown MSNBC.com to the number one news site,” said Bruce Jaffe, a Microsoft corporate vice president. “We are totally committed to taking MSNBC.com to even higher levels of success through our unparalleled marriage of technological innovation and news content.”
Microsoft joined hands with NBC to launch the cable channel in 1996. Though the channel started generating profits after a long wait of 8 years, it has been lagging far behind its rival news cable channels, Fox News and CNN. Media reports suggest that, the split now gives NBC options for a name change, as part of its efforts to woo more viewers.
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.
