GECs
Natpe pitches new initiative for 2004 convention
MUMBAI: Enthused by the success of last summer’s TV Producers’ Boot Camp, the National Association of Television Program Executives (Natpe) is introducing Pitch Pit in the Natpe 2004 conference to be held at Sands Expo Centre and Venetian Hotel in Los Angeles from January 18-20, 2004.
Pitch Pit is being pegged as an improved version of Natpe’s popular contest Pitch Me. The difference in this version is that instead of 15 people getting a chance to pitch a television idea, now 90 people will have the chance to sit one-on-one with agents from the top Hollywood talent agencies.
Announcing the contest, Natpe CEO and president Rick Feldman said, “Our TV Producers’ Boot Camp in August and subsequent conversations with our members led us to this idea. Also, we wanted to amend the Pitch Me competition with a more professional, productive and formal way for ideas to be exchanged.”
Located on the exhibition floor, and open only to Natpe 2004 registrants on a first-come, first served basis, the Pitch Pit will allow participants a maximum of ten minutes to formally pitch their program ideas to and seek general information on the development process from television agents and development executives from such top entertainment companies as Banyan Productions, Granada America, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, Paradigm and UTA.
The contest will also help raise money for Natpe’s educational foundation since the confirmation of the meeting requires a $25 cash-only donation to the Natpe Educational Foundation.
Hallmark Channel EVP programming David Kenin was quoted in a company press release as saying, “Our goal is to provide some guidance on the development process and potentially hear some great ideas for programming on Hallmark Channel. Either way, we want to do what we can to support Natpe and its Educational Foundation.”
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.
