GECs
Max going to the US in October
MUMBAI: Max is steadily planning expansion overseas with its international channel, which is all set to launch in the US in October.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Sony CFO and Max business head NP Singh said, “We launched Max international in July. As of now we available in the Middle East on Pehla. Our next stop is the US. We are talking with different parties regarding carriage. We are currently testing in Europe and hope to launch in the third quarter.”
Singh added that while Max was looking at Africa as well a timeline for that launch has not been decided. “Australia and New Zealand are still some time away for us. For Hindi general entertainment and movie channels the strong markets are the Middle East, US, UK and Africa. In Asia they are Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia.”
As far as challenges involved in distributing Max abroad are concerned Singh added that the first challenge is to make sure that the channel is available across all the international territories. “That is where our focus rests at the moment. You have to meet competition in every market that you get into. That is not something, which worries us.”
Singh noted with surprise that Israel was an emerging market for Indian channels and that China and Japan were also coming up. “Maybe Indian channels in their entirety cannot go into those markets yet as 24-hour channels due to capacity constraints. However many of those broadcasters are seeking Indian product for their networks.”
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.
