GECs
BIG RTL Thrill beefs up weekend programming
MUMBAI: BIG RTL Thrill with its new additions is all set to turn up the entertainment quotient for men through the weekends. The channel which is available in dual feeds of Hindi and English will premier two internationally recognised shows – Bellator and Love in the Wild starting 5 October.
The new line up will kick-start with Bellator, the largest tournament based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world. The world renowned series that was launched in 2008 has showcased nine successful seasons internationally and holds tournaments across weight classes. With Bellator, BIG RTL Thrill aims to give its audiences an hour of exclusive and exceptional action entertainment.
Next on the anvil is Love in the Wild. The show is a reality based programme wherein ten young and single girls and boys are marooned on an island in Costa Rica. The boys and girls are paired as couples and participate in various adventurous activities while they seek love. In order to find true love, the contestants have to undergo hardships and challenges that will test their compatibility, chemistry and mental grit.
BIG RTL Thrill vice president Vijay Koshy said, “We are delighted to bring these two new fantastic shows to our audiences over weekends. While Bellator is an internationally well established property amongst mixed martial art fans, Love in the Wild promises to provide for scintillating content in the late night slot. We are confident that this mix of action-entertainment shows will work well with audiences, while offering marketers with properties that promise best ROI.”
The new shows on the channel aim to tap into the expanded market for BIG RTL Thrill following its dual-feed launch earlier this year. The channel, which is available on all leading networks, offers male viewers international action-programming in both Hindi and English across key 1mn+ HSMs.
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.
