GECs
ESS in 3-year deal with IHF for international match telecast
MUMBAI: Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports have signed a three year exclusive telecast deal for all international hockey matches, under the aegis of IHF, to be played in India.
Under the contract, ESS will broadcast and market ‘IHF Hockey Package’, including 102 international matches over the next 3 years. Any other hockey tournament, which the IHF launches in this period will also fall under the purview of this contract and will be telecast exclusively by the channel.
IHF has announced the tentative schedule of the teams, which will be visiting India over the year. Teams, which might visit India will include South Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Germany. ESS will telecast 102 international matches including a 5 test series against arch rival Pakistan over the next three years., an official release said.
ESPN STAR Sports will work on a comprehensive marketing plan to promote ‘IHF Hockey Package’. Leisure Sports Management (LSM), the marketing agency of IHF, has facilitated the deal between the two leading organizations.
“We are looking at growing the game’s popularity in a very systematic manner. Last year we launched PHL. This year we are taking a holistic approach to market the national team and international hockey better. The entire process of scheduling and then showcasing the hockey tournaments is being systematized. Carrying the process further, we will release the names of countries visiting India well in advance, which will help in better marketing and selling of the tournaments,” said IHF president KPS Gill.
ESPN Software India MD R C Venkateish said, “Our role in this deal will be more than mere telecasting. Besides continuing to innovate on our current hockey telecast, we will market the hockey players and the sport better. We will leverage our relationships with IHF and hockey players by integrating the discipline much more into our over all marketing programs and specific initiatives like ESPN Learning Grounds for schools, and so on.”
Tentative IHF schedule for July 2005 – June 2006
| No. | Series |
| 1 | India South Korea/Malaysia Tests |
| 2 | 4 nation double header |
| 3 | India – Spain/Germany Tests |
| 4 | India – Pakistan Tests in India |
| 5 | India – NZ/Australia Series |
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.
