GECs
More than 250 buyers sign up for MIP London’s second outing
LONDON: MIP London is pulling in the crowds. The multi-genre international television and streaming content market has secured over 250 buyers for its second edition, set to run from 22-24 February 2026 at the IET London and Savoy Hotel.
The line-up reads like a who’s who of global content: Amazon Studios, Netflix, Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount, National Geographic, Nickelodeon International, MUBI, Sky, ZDF, RTL, RTE, Nine Entertainment, Red Bull Media House, Al Jazeera International, TV 2 Norway, TV Nova, Reshet, Britbox International, Kidstream, Bellmedia, Viasat, ITV, BBC, AMC Networks, Globo, PBS, The Walt Disney Company and Samsung have all confirmed acquisitions and commissioning executives will attend.
The event’s debut in February 2025 drew more than 2,800 delegates from 47 countries. “MIP London’s first edition successfully drew more international buyers, distributors, producers, and therefore more opportunities, to what has become such a key week in the international industry calendar in London,” said Lucy Smith, director of MIP London and MIPCOM Cannes.
This year’s edition is pushing beyond traditional television. The focus expands to include digital creators, brands, micro dramas, podcasting and artificial intelligence. “For our second edition MIP London goes beyond traditional television by joining the dots with the transformational digital side of the business,” Smith said.
The format has been tightened. The market now runs three days from Sunday to Tuesday, 8.30am to 7pm daily. A new buyers-focused Sunday kicks off proceedings with expanded data-led market intelligence, including a special London edition of Fresh TV from The WIT, plus exclusive presentations from Ampere Analysis and Glance.
Matchmaking gets a boost too. An enhanced hosted buyer programme will curate pre-scheduled meetings through MIP London’s platform, designed to spark commercial connections. The programme runs across all three days, with screenings, showcases and a conference agenda to be announced in coming weeks.
Qualified buyers attend free. The goal: maximum impact, minimum fuss, and deals that stick.
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.
