GECs
CASBAA conference kicks off on 27 November
Innovation, focus, profit. These three keywords describe CASBAA’s three day event in Hong Kong’s Convention & Exhibition Centre, to be flagged off on 27 November.
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia Conference will start with a pre-conference super session on 27 November on Interactive Television and its relevance to Asian audiences. The four hour session will look at the experiences of the first iTV testbeds, pilots and rollouts. It will also deal with Interactive broadband internet content distribution over satellite and cable television networks.
Nine sessions and one super session will mark the two day conference. The first day’s sessions will focus on the future of reality television, broadband and branding for networks. One of the sessions will showcase latest media entrants and examine the nature of investment in Asia’ media sector. The day’s other sessions will also scrutinise the effectiveness of anti piracy measures and the industry’s response to the burgeoning piracy in the entertainment sector.
The second day’s sessions will look at the revenues of terrestrial, cable and satellite networks, and will predict changes in the advertising landscape. Other sessions will focus on digital behaviour trends across Asia. Panelists will hold forth on their views on the difference between interactive TV and what the web has to offer. The ‘Breakout Session’ on the second day of the conference focusses on the satellite industry. Experts will tackle the question of how the satellite industry is trying to deliver efficient communication in a cost effective manner.
The focus also shifts to local markets, with panelists talking about how indigenous content providers can distinguish their product from American and European offerings. Desi content will be judged against overseas ones in terms of cost, distribution and returns. At the concluding session, CASBAA 2001 will gaze into ‘The Crystal Ball’ to get an idea of the direction in which the cable & satellite industry is headed. Thought Leaders from each session will amalgamate their views to form a perspective of the industry ext one to three years. The key challenges, opportunities and issues facing the industry will be delved into.
CASBAA represents 120 Asian corporations catering to over 3 billion people, its members comprising cable operators, satellite platforms, satellite system operators, cable and satellite channels, hardware providers and new media service purveyors and network enablers. Top brass from several corporates and professionals from the cable & satellite industry in the region are expected to attend the event.
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.
