GECs
Zee set to make southern debut with 12 September launch of Alpha Telugu
MUMBAI: Zee Network is all set to unveil its Telugu channel Alpha Telugu. The 24-hour channel will start beaming from 12 September.
The launch of Alpha Telugu will finally see the Zee Network making its entry into southern television airspace. With the launch, Zee will become the second mainstream network having a presence in the South after Star, which has its Tamil channel Star Vijay.
Timed with the launch, Alpha Telugu has lined up a series of campaigns, which will start rolling from the 12th. According to Alpha Telugu business head Sreenivaas Bhatt, print, outdoor and cable will be used to promote Alpha Telugu, apart from cross promotions through the network.
Speaking exclusively to indiantelevision.com, Bhatt says the channel will telecast 17 hours of original programming daily from Day 1 of launch. According to Bhatt, a programming bank of two months’ duration is ready.
Alpha Telugu will telecast five daily news bulletins of 30 minutes duration. A total of 12 serials, eight soaps for the prime time slot and four for the afternoon band are also being lined up.
“Alpha Telugu will be stressing on reality-based shows. So, apart from news and soaps, the channel will telecast chat shows, interviews, live shows and documentaries portraying the common man’s life in Andhra,” offers Bhatt.
Bhatt however, refused to divulge financial details of the channel’s programming and marketing saying more data was awaited.
“Reality dramatised” – that’s the tagline for Alpha Telugu. With Zee Network finally realising its long-in-the-offing Telugu entry, it could well be put as “drama realised”.
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.
