GECs
Eenadu Group launching Urdu channel next month, planning 14-channel bouquet in 2 years
The Hydrabad-based Eenadu Group, one of the largest media networks in southern India promoted by Ramoji Rao, will be launching ETV Urdu channel next month. The launch date is still being finalised, industry sources say.
Rao is also laying out plans for a major expansion in the Eenadu Television Network, to be executed over the next two years, which will bring the number of channels under the ETV banner to 14.
ETV has been building its programming content for the Urdu channel for more than one-and-a-half years. The target audience will not only the Urdu speaking audiences in India but also the Gulf countries (Pakistan as well?). The Urdu spoken on the channel will not be pure Urdu (which not many people understand) but that spoken by common people so as to give it a broader viewership.
Eenadu Television Network, which has successfully been running ETV Telugu for the last six years, launched ETV Bangla in May 2000, followed by ETV Marathi in June and ETV Kannada in December. All the channels are reportedly doing well in their respective territories except for ETV Marathi which is facing some problems as far as reach is concerned.
Industry resources say Eenadu has big plans for its regional bouquet. Next on the cards are channels in Gujarati and Oriya scheduled for launch later this year. Next year will see the launch of channels in seven regional languages. The aim of the network is to build a brand and cater to niche audiences in all major regional languages.
Other plans on the group’s agenda is to promote the Ramoji Rao Filmcity in Hyderabad in India as well as abroad. The group also has plans to capitalise on its strong brand presence in the print medium by launching a Kannada language daily newspaper in the near future.
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.
