GECs
After World Cup hammering, listed TV cos’ scrips recover some ground
MUMBAI: The cricket World Cup has wrecked havoc on the listed television companies, particularly because none of them had the rights to telecast the greatest cricketing spectacle. Most of the listed companies lost a substantial chunk of their market capitalisation; although some of them are on the rebound in the first week of April 2003.
On 4 April, Zee Telefilms opened the day at Rs 73.2 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), fell by 1.3 per cent to finish at Rs 72.25. The volume of shares trades was around 1.2 million shares. The scrip had dipped to a 52-week low of Rs 60.15 after hovering around the Rs 100 mark in the first week of 2003.
The current rebound is attributed to the fact that the World Cup is over; Zee’s Siti Cable is gearing up to tackle the conditional access system (CAS) scenario; and Chandra has got the nod for DTH (direct to home) from the information & broadcasting ministry (I&B).
On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the Zee Telefilm scrip started the day (4 April) at Rs 72.45; fell 2.05 per cent and ended the day at Rs 71.50. The volume of shares traded was around 2.4 million.
The Balaji Telefilms scrip climbed up 5.87 per cent to end the day (4 April) at Rs 65.85 on the BSE. On the NSE, it rose by 6.35 per cent to end the day at Rs 66.15. Higher volumes of shares – 143,743 – were witnessed. Recently, the share had dipped to a 52-week low of Rs 52 on the BSE. It started the year 2003 at the Rs 80-mark.
Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network grew by 7.78 per cent to end the day (4 April) at Rs 52.65. On the NSE, the scrip rose to Rs 52.25 (up Rs 6.85 per cent).
Cinevistaas grew by 7.18 per cent to end the day (4 April) at Rs 23.15 on the BSE. The scrip had touched a 52-week low of Rs 17.7. Towards the beginning of the year, it was hovering around the Rs 40-mark.
Creative Eye grew marginally by 1.1 per cent to finish the day (4 April) at Rs 10.50 on the BSE. The stock had started the year with the price at the Rs 14-mark.
The ETC Networks scrip rose by 4.34 per cent to end the day (4 April) at Rs 43.30. The scrip was ruling at the Rs 70-mark in the first week of the year 2003.
It would be interesting to see what kind of an impact the World Cup would have had on Star India or Sony Entertainment Television if these companies had been listed on the stock exchanges.
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.
