Awards
Distraction relaunches Gameshow Zone
MUMBAI: International format distributor Distraction adds two hot new properties to its classic gameshow catalogue, now re-launched as The Gameshow Zone.
“These shows have an enduring appeal that hits the classic gameshow revival trend head on,” commented Distraction CEO Michel Rodrigue. “They are stellar examples of the qualities that have made formats so successful. Extremely strong audience retention, clear structures, proven track records, strong production histories… they have all the makings of sure-fire, long-term winners.”
Teasers: From U.S. producer Merrill Heatter, Emmy award winning creator of the legendary Hollywood Squares, comes a format classic that combines the performers, questions, gags and bluffs of Hollywood Squares with the challenging, play-along style of Wheel of Fortune.
Teasers is a fast-paced, fun-filled format with high production values and ‘can’t miss’ game play. Six celebrities – sitting in two rows of three boxes – answer the questions. Two contestants decide if the panellist has given the correct answer. A correct guess earns a contestant a piece of a six-part word puzzle, superimposed on his or her ‘box’, and the contestant has a chance to solve the puzzle.
This entertaining word game is perfect for either a weekly or stripped slot, and with the proven power of funny celebrities plus the involvement of the word game, Teasers is sure to be at least as successful and unpredictable as its predecessor.
Black Cat: A game of trade and cunning, Black Cat is the Magnolia adaptation of a popular Italian card game. Three contestants race to the last card over four rounds of the game before coming to the gold pyramid and the final jackpot prize. The rules of play are simple, but contestants must overcome obstacles in each round as they compete to keep the winning cards and stay in the game. One alone will move on to the final round, where eight prizes await. Only four are worth cash, however, and whether or not the contestant wins them depends on what’s in the cards.
In the end, the only sure winner with Black Cat is the broadcaster. This one-hour format is now airing on Italia Uno and showing a strong performance against rival Deal or No Deal in the access prime time slot. Even successful series such as The O.C. and Smallville are falling short of the audience appeal of Black Cat, which has improved Italia Uno’s ratings in Italian television’s most challenging timeslot.
Distraction’s Gameshow Zone groups these new offerings with successful formats such as In the Dark, which airs in Thailand, Indonesia and Russia, among other countries.
Awards
Fan Fare as Zee Cine Awards Hands Power to Viewers
Voting opens as 24th edition gears up for grand Mumbai spectacle.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… you decide. The red carpet is being rolled out, but this time, the spotlight swings firmly towards the people in the seats.
The Zee Cine Awards, long regarded as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated honours, return for their 24th edition with a promise to be bigger, louder and far more fan driven. Maruti Suzuki presents the 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026, set to unfold on 28 February and 1 March at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai.
Over the years, the awards have evolved from a glittering ceremony into a full blown cultural moment, blending star power with scale and audience connection. This year, that connection takes centre stage under the theme ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, positioning audiences not just as spectators, but as decision makers.
Viewers’ Choice voting went live on 11 February 2026, handing fans the power to crown their favourites across multiple categories. From Best Film to Song of the Year, every vote now shapes the outcome.
In the Viewer’s Choice Best Film category, the nominees include Dhurandhar, Chhaava, Saiyaara, Sitaare Zameen Par, Jolly LLB 3 and Jaat.
For Viewer’s Choice Best Actor Male, the race features Ranveer Singh for Dhurandhar, Vicky Kaushal for Chhaava, Akshay Kumar for Kesari Chapter 2, Sunny Deol for Jaat, Akshay Kumar again for Jolly LLB 3 and Dhanush for Tere Ishk Mein.
In the Viewer’s Choice Best Actor Female category, Kriti Sanon for Tere Ishk Mein, Yami Gautam for Haq, Kangana Ranaut for Emergency, Tripti Dimri for Dhadak 2, Aneet Padda for Saiyaara and Sonam Bajwa for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat are in contention.
Hell Energy Drink Viewer’s Choice Song of the Year includes the Saiyaara Title Song from Saiyaara, Laal Pari from Housefull 5, the Dhurandhar Title Track, Uyi Amma from Azaad, Deewaniyat from Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat and Aavan Jaavan from War 2.
Voting is open across platforms including the ZEE5 app, the official website or on WhatsApp by sending ‘Hi’ to 7700978488, and through comments on official social media posts across Instagram, Facebook and X.
With Maruti Suzuki as presenter and partners including Hell Energy Drink, Rajdhani Dal, L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Gloss, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Balaji Wafers, the event promises high wattage performances and headline grabbing moments. Tickets are available on District by Zomato, while the televised spectacle will air later on Zee TV, Zee Cinema and ZEE5.
As Bollywood’s biggest night approaches, the message is clear. This is no longer just an awards show. It is a reminder that behind every blockbuster, viral song and star turn stands a crowd that cheered first. And this year, that crowd gets the final word.
