GECs
ETC Punjabi claims 100% share during ‘Aayi Baisakhi’ telecast
MUMBAI: ETC Punjabi claims to have emerged the most popular channel in Punjab. The channel claims to have garnered a channel share larger than that of popular national channels like Star Plus during ‘live’ telecast of recently held events.
According to a press release, ETC Punjabi created a history of sorts on 6 April 2003. During the ‘live’ telecast of the mega event Aayi Baisakhi, ETC Punjabi garnered 100 per cent channel share among all Punjabi language channels in C&S homes, four plus and 15+ABC (source: TAM India). The releases adds that the channel had a viewership even larger than national channels during the telecast.
On 6 April 2003, while ETC Punjabi had a channel share of 28 per cent across all channels in Punjab, a national channel like Star Gold could only manage 19 per cent; says the release.
Star Gold was followed by Zee TV and Sony, each with eight per cent channel share. The release adds that Star Plus was fourth along with Zee Cinema with seven per cent channel share during the duration of the telecast.
The release quotes ETC Punjabi president Rabindra Narayan as saying: “This is probably the first time in the history of regional television in the north that a regional channel has beaten popular national channels in its market in the race for eyeballs.”
ETC Punjabi has long maintained its position as the most popular channel in the Punjab, claims the channel. According to latest TAM data for viewership in the Punjab, the channel has a 67 per cent channel share among Punjabi channels – C&S homes, four plus and 15+ABC (TAM).
ETC Punjabi VP (programming) Rajiee M Shinde was quoted as saying: “It is through ‘live’ broadcasting of events, ETC Channel Punjabi has propelled itself into the big league amidst competition with the big boys like Star Plus and Sony.”
ETC Networks Ltd CEO Jagjit Singh Kohli has been quoted as saying: “We are perhaps the only channel which airs six hours ‘live’ everyday from one fixed location, which is Gurbani straight from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.”
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.
