GECs
Sony adds two channels to its Canadian offering through ATN
Mumbai: South Asian broadcaster Asian Television Network International (ATN) has acquired the Canadian distribution rights for two more TV channels from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) namely Sony YAY! and Sony PAL.
Sony YAY! is India’s go-to kids channel for non-stop Kids entertainment! Its vision is to be a part of kids’ everyday lives through various endeavours. A channel targeted at kids aged between two–14 years, Sony YAY! is here to set new standards and benchmarks in kids’ entertainment genre with its unique, fresh and relatable content.
Sony PAL is the general entertainment channel (GEC) from the SPN stable. The channel showcases stories and characters which forms an instant bond with its viewers. With the tagline “Yeh Pal Humara Hai,” which means this moment is ours, Sony PAL aims to bring positivity through its content offerings which inspires its viewers.
ATN CEO and president Dr Shan Chandrasekar said,“We are very proud of our long association with Sony Pictures Networks, a world leader in Entertainment. We are delighted to launch our first children’s channel across Canada along with another popular General Entertainment Channel from the network. With the massive growth in South Asian population across Canada, these channels will attract a large loyal audience.”
ATN already has a long-lasting association with Sony Pictures Networks India and distributes five channels across Canada namely Set HD, Sony SAB, Sony MAX, Sony MAX2, and Sony AATH. Sony YAY! and Sony PAL will be launched on 13 September on Telus Optik TV in Western Canada, and soon after in other parts of the country through licensed distributors.
Sony Entertainment Television senior vice president of international business America Jaideep Janakiram said, “We are ecstatic to announce our launch in Canada with Sony YAY! and Sony PAL. Our partnership with ATN goes a long way and will further help in taking our channels to the right audiences. The consumption of Indian content has surged amongst the South Asian diaspora in recent years and the launch of both these channels in Canada will fill in the gap of audiences with our compelling content.”
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.
