GECs
BSkyB hits eight million subscriber mark
MUMBAI: Leading British satellite platform BSkyB has crossed its target of achieving eight million subscribers by the end of this year, 2005.
In a media statement BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch stated, Sky is achieving strong growth. Nearly one in three homes have chosen Sky and we are especially well placed to broaden Sky’s appeal as entertainment and communications come together.
BSkyB, in which Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. owns 36.6 per cent, has also set a target of achieving 10 million subscribers by 2010, with 2.5 million of those taking its Sky+ personal video recorder service. The company is also aiming to have at least 3 million subscribers using its multiroom service, which allows more than one TV set in a home to be hooked up to Sky’s services.
Launched in 1999, the company provides free to air channels as well as pay TV channels. Murdoch noted that the company provides access to a number of free to air channels on the Freeview service as a way of promoting the pay-TV services available through its satellite service.
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.
