GECs
ViacomCBS reports $6.871 bn revenue in Q4
MUMBAI: ViacomCBS today reported financial results for the quarter and full year ended 31 December. The company’s full year revenue increased 2 per cent, driven by growth in advertising, affiliate and content licensing. Significantly, it reported the first quarterly earnings as a combined company.
ViacomCBS reported $6.871 billion revenue compared to $7.092 billion in the same quarter of 2018, down by three per cent. The company also mentioned in a press release that transitional Q4 included merger-related expenses. For the full year, it reported revenue of $27.812 billion.
“In less than three months since completing our merger, we have made significant progress integrating and transforming ViacomCBS. We see incredible opportunity to realise the full power of our position as one of the largest content producers and providers in the world. This is an exciting and valuable place to be at a time when demand for content has never been higher, and we will use our strength across genres, formats, demos and geographies to serve the largest addressable audience, on our own platforms and others,” ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish commented.
‘In 2020, our priorities are maximising the power of our content, unlocking more value from our biggest revenue lines and accelerating our momentum in streaming. With this as a backdrop, we’ve set clear targets for the year and are providing increased transparency around our business to demonstrate ViacomCBS’ ability to create shareholder value today, as we continue evolving and growing our business for tomorrow,” he added.
In the quarter, affiliate revenue increased one per cent, as strong growth in reverse compensation, retransmission and subscription streaming revenue more than offset declines in the pay TV landscape. Domestic advertising revenue was affected by significant declines in political advertising compared with the prior-year quarter. Domestic Cable Networks’ advertising revenue grew nine per cent while content licensing revenue declined 11 per cent due to the timing and mix of deliveries.
On the full year basis, advertising revenue increased two per cent, driven by five per cent growth in domestic advertising sales, reflecting CBS’ broadcasts of Super Bowl LIII and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament’s national semifinals and championship games, as well as higher revenues from Advanced Marketing Solutions which includes Pluto TV, partially offset by lower political ad spend.
Affiliate revenue grew three per cent, fueled by 20 per cent growth in reverse compensation and retransmission, as well as strong subscription streaming revenue, which more than offset declines in pay TV subscribers.
Content licensing revenue rose five per cent, reflecting higher revenues from licensing library and original production to third parties. Domestic streaming and digital video business – which includes subscription revenue and digital video advertising – generated approximately $1.6 billion in revenue.
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.
