GECs
HBO Asia to launch 2 commercial free movie channels
MUMBAI: HBO Asia is launching two 24 hour, commercial-free movie channels in the region. HBO Family and HBO Hits join the existing flagship channel, HBO Signature and Cinemax.
With this, HBO Asia operates five channels in the region now. All the channels will be available in Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia by May this year, starting with Hong Kong on 16 March.
Both the new channels will have its own programming and unique on-air identity, designed to appeal to different segments of the network’s overall audience.
In select markets, the five channels will be bundled as the HBO/MAX Pak.
Said HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink, “Less than a year after the successful introduction of HBO Signature, the first channel in our bouquet of multichannel services, we have now expanded on our multichannel strategy to launch two more genre-based channels-HBO Family and HBO Hits. Now with five movie channels to choose from, the HBO/MAX Pak offers subscribers more premium programming and greater added value and greater viewing choice, driving subscriber acquisition while improving retention for the cable operators throughout the region.”
Closed-captioned subtitling in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesia), Cantonese (Hong Kong) and Chinese (Taiwan) will be offered across all channels.
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.
