GECs
MTV Intl creative president Brent Hansen calls it a day
MUMBAI: MTV Intl creative president Brent Hansen who is also the chief editor has put in his papers.
He spent 15 years at MTV, which was recently spun off from CBS. MTV Intl vice chairman Bill Roedy will fill in for Hansen on an interim basis.
He said, “With nearly two decades at MTV Networks, I’ve decided this is the right time in the company’s history for me to resign and move on. I am proud to have played a key strategic and creative role in the growth of the company’s international business over that time.
“I have led and challenged the company to further its core values. I’m particularly pleased to have helped encourage cultural exchange through music, which continues to be of huge personal and professional interest to me, in tapping into common interests and, hopefully, offering something new as well as the familiar.”
As the head of MTV’s European operations, Hansen spearheaded the broadcaster’s growth in Europe for the past 15 years. He is recognised as the architect of MTV Europe’s localisation strategy, which began in the late 1980s and saw MTV launching dedicated operations in all key European markets.
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.
