GECs
Digital TV household penetration touches 62% in UK
MUMBAI: Britains regulator Ofcom has come out with a ‘digital television update’ for the first quarter of 2005. The report analyses data provided by the main digital television platform providers.
The report reveals that by 31 March 2005 digital television penetration was estimated to have reached 61.9 per cent of UK households; an increase of 2.5 per cent points from 59.4 per cent from the previous quarter.
Key trends that the report highlighted include:
- By 31 March 2005, the total number of digital television households grew by 643,517 to 15,417,398.
- BSkyB added 87,000 subscribers bringing its total number of UK subscribers to 7,349,000 at the end of Q1 2005. [Source: BSkyB results, Q1 2005]
- The number of Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview) only households saw a significant increase at the end of March 2005, with DTT households now estimated to have passed the 5 million mark for the first time (estimated 5,059,350). An increase of 466,430, from 4,592,920 at the end of the previous quarter, December 2004. [Source: Freeview Q1 2005 sales figures, GfK market research, Ofcom market estimates]
- Estimation of to be free-to-view digital households over 5.5 million . This figure consists Freeview viewers plus free-to-view digital satellite homes.
- Total number of homes using free-to-view digital satellite is estimated to be around 445,000. Figures include viewers who are no longer Sky subscribers but still receive the public service channels through their set-top boxes, as well as Solus card viewers. [Source: Ofcom market estimates]
- Total number of subscribers to cable television (analogue and digital) is now just under 3.3 million.
- Digital cable increased by over 30,000 and now accounts for over 2.5 million of the total. [Source: ntl and Telewest Broadband Q1 2005 results
- Three per cent of households continued to subscribe to analogue cable during the first quarter of 2005, bringing the total proportion of households receiving some form of multi-channel television to just over 64.9 per cent.
- In calculating Digital Terrestrial Television households an adjustment has been made to account for the number of households which have digital TV on more than one set. Latest estimates suggest that 25 per cent of Freeview set-top boxes are in households that already have digital (either Freeview, Sky or cable) on their main set. Sky and cable subscriber figures already account for multi-set users.
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.
