GECs
Disney, Star ink deal; to launch two channels 17 December
MUMBAI: The Little Big Mouse is finally ready to make its entry into Indian television space. And expectedly, it is on the biggest network platform that Disney will be launching two of its channels.
Walt Disney Television International Asia Pacific (WDTVI-AP) announced today that it has signed a multi-year deal with the Star Group to distribute The Disney Channel and Toon Disney Channel in India. The announcement was made jointly by Doug Miller, executive vice president WDTVI-AP and Walt Disney International and Star group CEO Michelle Guthrie. Both channels will be launched on Friday, 17 December 2004.
“The Disney brand is incredibly strong in India and has a natural resonance with Indian kids and families. This strong brand affinity makes India a natural market for us to launch a Disney Channel and also introduce the region’s first ever Toon Disney Channel,” said Miller. “We believe that Star India, with their unrivalled experience and successful track record in delivering compelling content make them the ideal partner to realize this potential.”
Michelle Guthrie commented, “Disney is the undoubted leader in providing unique entertainment that the whole family can enjoy together and we believe that adding Disney Channel and Toon Disney to the Star bouquet of channels will make us the natural home for kids and family viewing in India. The strength of the Disney brand will also give us incredible strength in marketing the channels and attracting more viewers to our services.”
“With a 30 million cable & satellite TV audience under the age of 14 in urban India alone, India is one of the world’s largest kids audiences and the launch of Disney Channel and Toon Disney will not only have a major impact on the way the Disney brand is enjoyed in India but also in the development of the Indian pay television business,” said Rajat Jain, managing director, Walt Disney Television International (India) and The Walt Disney Company (India) Pvt Ltd.
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.
