GECs
Nat Geo US targets the interactive gaming market
MUMBAI: National Geographic Film Library in the US has signed a licensing deal with Microsoft Game Studios.
Microsoft will be provided with a limited-edition, interactive DVD packed with 70 minutes of animal footage from National Geographic Channels Totally Wild wildlife series.
The DVD is currently packaged with the video game Zoo Tycoon 2 . It features short video segments of wildlife in its natural habitat, accompanied by factoids and trivia questions designed to supplement gamers interest in animal habitat and behaviour.
National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) VP film library Matthew White said, “Zoo Tycoon 2 provides a unique opportunity for us to showcase our award-winning wildlife footage and offer expertise based on our many years in the field researching the wild animals featured in the game. As we move forward in the interactive market, well be looking for similar opportunities to marry our technical, editorial and scientific assets into products and applications that engage and excite individuals to learn more about the world around them.”
In the Zoo Tycoon 2 game players build zoos and adopt animals. It has intuitive controls and fun tutorials that allow participants of all ages to engage in up-close, interactive experiences with their animals. Players can immerse themselves in the zoo experience with new features such as the Zoo Guest mode.
Here players can walk around and enjoy the game from a first-person point of view. Meanwhile Zookeeper mode allows players to interact with their animals as never before. Then there is Photo mode in which players can take pictures of their favorite animals and zoo guests and share them online with friends. A Zoopedia has animal facts.
Microsoft Game Studios publishes and develops games for the Xbox video game system, the Windows operating system and other online platforms.
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.
