GECs
Former Five TV chief lead bidder for Hallmark TV
MUMBAI: It’s not just in India that family channel Hallmark is finding the going tough. Hallmark International, the struggling television business of the American greetings card giant is close to being sold off.
And the leader in the race to buy the business is David Elstein, former chief executive of Five, with a $300 million offer that is reportedly backed by venture capitalists 3i (USA) and Providence Equity (UK).
That Elsteim is fronting a British-led consortium ahead of the likes of Viacom, Turner and Sony Pictures International should come as no surprise since it is in the UK that the channel has been doing particularly well.
Hallmark is one of the few channels to have significantly increased its UK TV audience share over the last few years. It is now reportedly at about 1 per cent, up from the 0.1per cent share it had at launch.
Hallmark UK’s channel driver is Law and Order which airs at 9 pm and is a show that has garnered tremendous viewer loyalty.
Of course, in all this, what is of particular interest to audiences out here would be the fate of Hallmark India should the sale go through. It has been a long, hard struggle for the channel, despite more than living up to its tag line — “Where great stories come to life”.
Global investment bank UBS is managing the sale of the channel and a final verdict is expected by next week.
Hallmark runs television channels in Europe, Asia and Latin America and also owns a programme library.
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.
