GECs
AXN expands its reach to Korea
MUMBAI: Action oriented broadcaster AXN from Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI) stable will launch a dedicated, 24-hour service for Korea in July 2005.
With the launch of AXN in Korea, AXN expands its reach to more than 76 million Asian households across 23 Asian countries, including its branded daypart programming in China.
AXN is the first international general entertainment channel approved for retransmission by the Korean Broadcasting Commission. AXN will be carried in SkyLife’s MoviePlus package (Channel 333), initially reaching more than one million Korean viewers.
SPTI senior executive VP International Networks Andy Kaplan said, “Sony Pictures Television International has built an enviably successful portfolio of channels worldwide and it’s extremely gratifying to see that our strategy of launching AXN in markets where audiences looking for action adventure entertainment are underserved has resulted in such dramatic expansion. We are honoured to enter the Korean market on the SkyLife platform.”
SPTI senior VP, MD Asia Todd Miller said, “AXN’s unique programming has allowed it to grow dramatically in the past few years, and we’re confident that on the SkyLife platform, we’ll be able to serve an audience that has a proven penchant for action adventure entertainment.”
SkyLife Contents Management Team director Sung-gil Moon said, “As a leading digital satellite broadcasting company in Korea, we are very pleased to have such a high-quality channel as AXN on SkyLife, and we expect AXN to play an affirmative role in the Korean broadcasting industry.”
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.
