GECs
ZEEL likely to sell 20% to Sony Corp
MUMBAI: Japanese multinational conglomerate Sony Corp is in advanced talks with Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) to buy a stake in the firm. As the company has been struggling to raise funds to pay huge debt, Chandra is looking to sell 20-25 per cent stake.
According to a report by Mint, the entire amount raised through the stake sale would be used to repay promoter debt worth Rs 13,000 crore. The report also added that the talks have reached the valuation stage wherein Subhash Chandra wants to sell the stake at a premium of about 30 per cent. But the total stake that promoter Subhash Chandra wants to retain in Zee may be a concern for the deal.
Essel Group holds 41.62 percent stake in ZEEL and more than half of the stake is pledged with lenders, as per latest data. Sony wanted to pick up at least 25 per cent, which would also allow it to have promoter rights, the report said.
The deal with ZEEL will be a great boost for Sony to strengthen its foothold in India. Along with a strong television business, the firm’s OTT platform ZEE5 also gained good traction in a short span.
Earlier too, analysts predicted that that it would command a huge premium by virtue of being the most profitable media company. However, the current crisis may not allow it to do so giving potential buyers chances for negotiation.
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.
