GECs
Liberty Media to be Zee’s strategic partner?
Just under three months after Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra announced he was looking to induct an international media major as strategic partner, the field for possible choices has narrowed to three likely players.
Of the three names that are being mentioned, the most likely party that will take a stake is Liberty Media Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T which also holds major stakes in Discovery Communications and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, merchant banking sources say. Two other names – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc (MGM), which already has an association with Zee in Zee MGM, Zee TV’s rechristened English movie channel, and Viacom, whose Nickelodeon is distributed by the Zee Group MSO Siticable, have also been mentioned as strong possibilities.
What Chandra’s holding will be when and if Liberty buys into Zee will be interesting to watch. There are reports circulating that Chandra would be willing to bring down his holding in Zee to 26 per cent, which is partly the reason why the scrip has been witnessing heightened activity over the last few days.
The search for a partner for Zee is being managed by UBS Warburg in Mumbai.
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.
