GECs
Big Magic goes seasonal
MUMBAI: In a country where daily soaps rule, Big Magic, the flagship general entertainment channel of Reliance Broadcast Network, is all set to adopt a new seasonal format.
Starting 29 December, the channel with its core positioning of being chatpata har pal, will introduce seasonal formats across its popular shows like Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal, Uff Yeh Nadaniyaan, Ajab Ghajab Ghar Jamai and MahiSagar. With this format, the channel aims to emphasise on freshness in characters, more comedy twists in plots, new themes in a four week long season format.
New seasons for the shows kicks off as below:
Uff Yeh Nadaniyan – 29 Dec
Har Mushkil ka Hal Akbar Birbal – 15 Jan
Ajab Ghajab Ghar Jamai – 12 Jan
Mahisaagar – 19 Jan
With the seasonal format kicking in, the channel will see transformation in existing characters, new character introductions new high points – with an unpredictable climax at the end. It will continue its episodic formats but will bring in more comedy, quirky and over the top elements to garner a higher space in the comedy genre. The season will be divided into – premieres, mid-season and season finale.
Talking about the new season format, Reliance Broadcast Network creative director Uditanshu Mehta said, “At Big Magic, we regularly aim to bring in innovation and newness across our shows. Our regular innovation and programming spikes have ensured time spent on our channel has increased excellently over the past few months, and alongside has audience expectations. This move is part of our endeavor to ensure we deliver to our discerning viewers a truly chatpata experience through our programming.”
The channel emphasises that the move will also allow marketers an effective window which can be perfectly timed to their campaigns, since they can now partner seasons, which are shorter and ensure high audience engagement.
As a part of the larger programming strategy, Big Magic will be incorporating interesting storylines in their leading shows.
The spikes will be marketed heavily across television, radio and digital, ensuring excellent promotions and reach with a 360 degree marketing plan.
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.
