GECs
DD to auction prime time slots: Rathore – viewership & revenue dropping
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan is to auction some of its prime time slots on DD National instead of commissioning them or taking them on self-financed commission basis. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore admitted in parliament today that the current acquisition of programmes through commissioning and self finance commissioning (SFC) route had resulted in dipping of viewership of DD National and consequently decreasing revenue.
Prasar Bharati has therefore considered the option of sale of time slot /time bands on DD National channel as a strategy to source high quality content at no cost. The SFC scheme was launched in 2005 and it worked well for DD in the initial years but SFC serials did not deliver either on increasing viewership or revenue in recent years.
Rathore said the Prasar Bharati Board had advised DD to proceed with an alternative policy by opening-up prime time slots for sale. DD is coming up with a slot sale policy so that genuine external and creative professionals can mount their programmes on DD Channels through slot purchase, the minister said.
In this scheme, DD would stop financing production through ‘Pay Out’ modes and instead have revenue assurance in the form of a slot fee. The policy envisages that producers are made stakeholders in the scheme. They would invest in the content and recover the same from the market through sale of associated commercial time. In such a situation, the minister added, market forces would ensure that high quality standards are maintained for the content mounted, while assuring revenue for Doordarshan.
In reply to another question, the minister said Television Rating Points (TRP) and viewership details of DD National according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data including rural viewership initiated in October 2015 fluctuates on weekly basis. He admitted that Doordarshan has suffered a setback because of sharp drop in number of terrestrial TV viewers. He said the Prasar Bharati Board had also decided to invite good external programmes to be telecast on all its channels in different phases.
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.
