GECs
Entertainment Hub implementing Sahara One revamp
MUMBAI: Efforts are being made to revive the almost comatose Hindi GEC Sahara One once again. Around a fortnight ago, indiantelevision.com had reported that a whole bunch of executives had been asked to put in their papers and march from the premises, almost immediately. Entertainment Hub, a unit of the Snip Entertainment Group along with the BSE listed Trilogic Digital Media, was slated to take management and sales control of the ailing channel, along with Sahara Filmy.
Well, what we had written has come to pass. Entertainment Hub is indeed in the driver’s seat at both – Sahara One and Filmy – the channels. Following on the heels of its massive employee shedding programme, it is now focused on rewriting Sahara One’s FPC. Come the first week of April and the viewers of the GEC will get to watch a whole new slate of programmes. Most of the existing shows – the better known ones include Niyati, Jai Bajrangbali and Firangi Bahu – are being shelved. Producers have been told to wrap the storylines by then.
Driving the change is Trilogic Digital Media director Vishal Gurnani – who refused to speak to indiantelevision.com on the revamp initiative. But sources within the company say that new hires especially with creative expertise are being headhunted. Says a Sahara One source: “There is a management change in terms of the approach to the channel. A completely new dynamic team is going to drive the channel. Plus, our aim with the re-vamp is to widen our distribution. You will see much better distribution across the HSM markets in India.”
The management has its task cut out to achieve that; the network has large outstandings with almost every major MSO and many other smaller ones nationally.
However, the Sahara One source says that the idea is to get the GEC back to the 50 GRP landmark within the next 12 months, and then to 100 GRPs in 18 months. “We are confident that with this re-launch, we will achieve these numbers,” he exults.
The challenge is indeed tough; but confidence is running high. If it can convert that confidence into fruitful actions, success well might follow.
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.
