GECs
Endemol expands presence with acquisition
MUMBAI: Global television format creator and distributor Endemol will acquire a 51 per cent stake in Germ, an interactive television format firm Callactive.
It has also launched a new participation TV show in the US. The transaction in Germany is subject to the approval of the German anti-trust authorities. Endemol has options to further increase its stake in the future.
Callactive specialises in call TV interactive television formats in Germany and Switzerland. Its customers include Viva Plus (Germany). Callactive is located in Munich and will serve as Endemol’s call TV platform for German speaking countries/areas. Callactive will continue to operate under the same name, headed by its current MD Stephan Mayerbacher.
Meanwhile in the US, Endemol has launched a live participation TV show called Midnight Money Madness. The two-hour show went to air two weeks ago. This is the first time Endemol has brought its interactive television experience to viewers in the US.
Endemol digital media director Job van Wagensveld says, “With the acquisition of 51 per cent of Callactive in Germany and the launch of Midnight Money Madness in the United States we are adding two important new territories to our participation TV activities. We are now operating successfully world wide in over 25 countries with more to come. We are very pleased with these developments and expect to grow our leading position in this business further in the coming years.”
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.
