GECs
Jubilant Chandra promises an exciting sports fest
Mumbai: Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra was in a jubilant mood in Chennai on Sunday evening even as the network bagged the BCCI cricket telecast rights for the next four years.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com Chandra accepted the congratulations graciously and said that all formalities that the BCCI had asked for would be completed. Even the initial amount of $20 million within the next 48 hours.
“We will be signing a letter of intent with the BCCI,” he said.
He added that his network would be speaking to Turner Broadcasting Asia about a proposed collaborative effort to launch a sports channel tomorrow. “Today is a Sunday,” he said. “We will be moving ahead aggressively.”
Earlier while speaking to Zee News Chandra said that his network was well geared up to get the channel off the ground by 2 October for the Australian series. “The channel will be youthful,” he told Zee News. “Sports is entertainment. We will provide more excitement than before. Our network infrastructure is strong and we will get adequate distribution.”
He added: “Cricket has become a religion in India. We will give a boost to other sports also through our channel. We will work hard on improving the production quality.”
Earlier, BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya had told media persons in Chennai that the contract had not yet been awarded to Zee TV, but they had accepted Zee TV’s revised bid.
“Formalities have to be completed,” Dalmiya said. “Bank guarantees have to be furnished, who will be doing the production etc has to be clarified..”
He, however, added that he had no doubt that Zee would be able to meet with the conditions the board had set for it. He said that “the Letter of Intent will be extended to Zee soon after receipt of US$20 million by the Board.”
Dalmiya told media persons that the tender had not been repoened but that rival bidder ESPN had agreed to pay $308 million at yesterday’s meeting. Zee had been given an opportunity to bid since it was the highest bidder. And chairman Chandra agreed to match the bid put up by ESPN-Star.
BCCI spokesperson Amrit Mathur, while speaking to Zee News, added that the board expected domestic cricket to get a spurt. “The Ranji Trophy, junior cricket… you will see it all getting a shot in the arm,” he said.
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.
