GECs
CBS to find the next designing Diva
MUMBAI: CBS has announced that television journalist Joan Lunden will host its upcoming reality series Finding The Next Designing Diva.
The series will pit 12 people with a creative knack for the finer things in life in a no-holds-barred competition to crown the country’s new authority on at-home living. The contestants will compete in different areas of beautifying the home and entertaining, including gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, crafts, floral arranging and decorating.
In addition to chronicling relationships that develop amongst the participants, each week a contestant will be eliminated from the series when they are judged on their flair for elegant living, party planning and expertise in homemaking.
Lunden added, “I have worked side by side with some of the best chefs and lifestyle experts for years on morning television. Now I can bring that experience, as well as my hosting skills, to a show that is certain to take ‘domestic arts’ to a new level of excitement,”
Lunden co-hosted Good Morning America from 1980 till 1997. During her tenure, she reported from 26 countries, covered four presidents, five Olympics and two royal weddings. Lunden also hosts and executive produces Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden.
In the show Lunden has been allowed access to the inner workings of places few have ever seen, including flying at 65,000 feet in a U2 Reconnaissance aircraft, survival training with Army’s Special Forces, the Culinary Institute of America.
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.
