GECs
Zee India’s cultural ambassador to world, says Amit Goenka as it shares anniversary celebrations with India’s sat TV industry
MUMBAI: ZEE has, over the years, emerged as the cultural ambassador of India to the world, taking its rich and engaging content to diverse 1.3 billion audience, said ZEEL CEO – international broadcast business Amit Goenka during the celebration of the channel’s completion of 25 glorious years.
In the history of India, 2 October is a landmark day as it is the birthday of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. On this momentous day, way back in 1992, India also witnessed the birth of satellite television with the launch of the first Hindi satellite television channel, Zee TV from the stable of Zee Telefilms Ltd., now ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL). This year, ZEE Entertainment, which has evolved from an Indian television broadcaster into a media and and entertainment conglomerate, has completed 25 years of bringing the best of entertainment content to viewers in India and across the world.
Essel Group and ZEE chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subhash Chandra said, “Zee TV had led to the commencement of a new industry which not only generated employment for 50 lakh people but also gave a new direction to India. We started with a single resolution to provide entertainment, and today, we share this happiness with 1.3 billion viewers across 173 countries, in 19 languages.
Under the leadership of Punit and Amit, ZEE will always work towards new technology and concepts so as to provide its viewers with the best of entertainment.”
Sharing his views on this milestone, ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka said, “On 2 October, 1992, our chairman Dr. Subhash Chandra launched the nation’s first private satellite television channel. The industry today stands at an estimated size of Rs 588 billion. As consumer preferences shift and evolve, our aim at ZEE, is to anticipate the change, embrace the new and continue to lead by innovation.”
Amit Goenka said, “ZEE forayed into the international business in 1995 with the launch of Zee TV in the UK. ZEE has emerged as the cultural ambassador of India. Our vision for the future is to become the world’s leading global content company from the emerging markets.”
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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.
