GECs
Viacom18 beats Monday Blues with fun social media chatter within its brands
MUMBAI: The coronavirus outbreak has brought dramatic changes in our lifestyle. To slow down the spread of the pandemic in the country, we have been asked to maintain social distancing. This Monday could have been more gloomy than usual. But, Viacom18 brands started social chatter within themselves to beat the Monday Blues.
Using #LetsBinge, the brands started talking to each other. Led by the mother brand, Viacom18, all the other brands followed. From COLORS that encouraged binge watching on VOOT to VOOT that asked MTV India to help it choose between COLORS and MTV shows, to MTV and Vh1 providing music to the background and much more. It also included Viacom18 Motion Pictures or any of our regional channels behind. All in all, it became a long banter chain between Viacom18's channels, whether on air or digital, Hindi or kids or English entertainment, movies or the regional cluster.
“We love being close to our fans and engaging with them. So we thought, why not have a social chatter with all our brands; a fun banter on a usually 'blues' Monday, and use the might of the network for something cool. When Viacom18 tagged COLORS and said #letsbinge, COLORS tagged Voot, and so on the chain cut across our channels and reached about 10 million followers. Now that's the power of the digital medium in times of quarantine. We had fun while engaging with our fans and sending out our message to them to watch our content, while sitting at home,” Viacom 18 Corporate Marketing, Communications and Sustainability head Sonia Huria said.
Through the conversation, the brands wittly highlighted the popular shows and movies available across its portfolio including Barrister Babu, Big Boss, Asur,Marzi, Andhadhun, FRIENDS. While all the brands are constantly reminding people to stay home, there are chances to sound as panic monger and preachy or awkward and opportunistic others. Viacom18 found a different and creative way to stay connected with the audience ruling out both the possibilities.
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.
