GECs
Astro Q1 net profit doubles to $ 151.24 million
MUMBAI: Astro All Asia Networks plc’s net profit has doubled to RM39.8 million ( $ 151.24 mn) in the first quarter ended 30 April 2005 on strength of higher subscriber growth.
Consolidated revenues rose 21 per cent to RM473.2 million ($180 bn) during this period. The pay-television business registered a gain of 65,000 subscribers, bringing the total to 1.76 million.
The continuing growth in profitability and cash flow in its existing business would provide strong support as the group extended its multimedia platform and content businesses into the region, Astro chairman Datuk Badri Masri said.
Astro also announced a $4.25 million (US$1 = RM3.80) investment for a 51 per cent stake in All Asia Television Broadcast Ltd. Hong Kong’s Yes Television will hold the remaining stake in a venture that would distribute two 24-hour football channels in the Asian region.
The venture will broadcast GOALTV 1 and 2, which carry the official channels of English Premier League’s top football clubs, namely Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. Astro will begin the broadcast in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia later this year.
In December 2004, Astro and South Indian media major Sun TV had entered into a $ 25 million agreement for the establishment of a joint venture to originate, aggregate and distribute television programming and channels for global audience. Also proposed in the deal were a Bengali channel for distribution in India, South East Asia and other markets within the Bengali diaspora., and a Tamil channel in Malaysia on the Astro platform. While the Bengali channel Surjo is targeting a September launch, the Tamil channel Sun TV will be launched in July.
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.
