GECs
Cable TV Show, Kolkata stresses on services, CRM
KOLKATA: Over 6500 cable operators from places like Meghalaya, Assam, Jharkhand, Ranchi, Orrisa, Madhya Pradesh and even neighbouring Bangladesh converged at the recently concluded Cable TV Show Kolkata.
Choc a bloc with cable operators and related industry professionals, the ninth Cable TV Show, was marked by well attended seminars and good participation as well as healthy business activitiy by exhibitors who attended the show.
The organising body, the CTMA (Cable TV Equipment Traders & Manufacturers Association) which boasts prominent members like Kamal Gandhi (Chief Patron),Pawan Jajodia (Chariman -Exhibtion commitee), K K Binani (Chairman – Seminar Committee), Sanjay Mansukhani (secretary -CTMA)Binod Sancheti (President -CTMA) has a strong influence amongst the cable trade in the region.
The host state, West Bengal, had cable operators coming in from most of its districts, while a delegation from the PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) which had confirmed its participation, could not make it due to some last minute problems.
Among the 83 stalls wasa a surprise exhibitor – health channel Care TV, which does not have a regional channel in eastern India, but claimed to have got a warm response from cable ops who attended the show. While the likes of Scientific Atlanta also did good business, one entity conspicious by its absence was RPGNet, the strongest player in the cable market in West Bengal.
Among the seminars at the show was one where Indiantelevision.com CEO Anil Wanvari enthused the cable community to innovate and be resourceful. Quoting figures and instances from developed markets like the US, he asked them to create local programming out of school and college events, and exhorted the cable community here to create programming and become self reliant to a certain extent.
A prominent chartered accountant M Mishra, then enlightened the audience on how CRM (Customer Relationship Management) can take the cable trade to the next level. He emphasized that getting 100 odd channels, and a clear picture quality were now services expected from a cable operator, which the consumer takes for granted. The operator has to then add more value to the services, and be more efficient in handling complaints. Also of note was a talk by prominent cable operator from Delhi, Roop Sharma, where she asked the cable operators to strive for an united front. Sudeep malhotra of Sattelite and Cable Trade spoke on the impact of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s policies on cable operators.
The CTMA also held a cocktails cum dinner party where it regaled the cable operators with a fashion show by designer Naaz.
All in all, the show had a positive feel around it and proved itself well worth participating in.
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.
