GECs
Italian parliament passes TV modernisation bill
ROME: The lower house of the Italian parliament passed a fiercely contested bill intended to modernise television and create more choice on the Italian airwaves.
A New York Times (NYT) report also states that the opposition criticised the move as prime minister Silvio Berlusconi owns the country’s largest private television network and indirectly controls 92 per cent of Italy’s public broadcasting channels. However, the opposition gathered votes to amend the bill and limit its scope, it says.
The NYT report states that the bill proposed to quicken the country’s path to digital television; overturned a law ready to go into effect at the end of the year banning ownership of more than two non cable television channels; and eased restrictions on crossover media acquisitions. The owners of television networks, like the prime minister, could have bought newspapers and raised ceilings on advertising revenues.
The detractors passed an amendment that extracts the bill’s teeth and ensured that it would impose the limit of two on the number of channels any company may own and would block the other changes. So instead of potentially broadening his Mediaset television empire, Berlusconi may be forced to unload one of his three private channels, says the NYT report.
Conflict-of-interest accusations have hounded “tycoon prime minister” Berlusconi since he took office in 2001. Mediaset’s competitor is RAI and it is not percived to be much of a threat.
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.
