GECs
MTV launches Nick block on Malaysian broadcaster TV9
MUMBAI: MTV Asia has launched a Nickelodeon block on Malaysia’s terrestrial television channel, TV9. Branded as Nick di 9, it will reach over seven million households in Malaysia.
Nickelodeon’s properties include SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Dubbed in Bahasa Melayu, Nick di 9 will be aired daily for three hours from 3pm to 6pm. Now kids in Malaysia can also enjoy these award-winning pre-school shows including Blue’s Clues and Dora the Explorer on Mondays to Thursday; while from Friday to Sundays, they can look forward to hilarious fun with Nicktoons like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
TV 9 is Malaysia’s first free-to-air channel to provide an uninterrupted kids’ block 7 days a week. With the tagline Dekat di Hati, TV9 is the Malay channel targeting to Malays who strongly associate themselves with positive values.
MTV South East Asia senior VP and GM Christopher James says, “At Nickelodeon, we put kids first in everything we do and with Nick di 9, we will be reaching out to Malaysian kids in the language that they speak. This mutually rewarding relationship with TV9 will help both parties to better reach out to kids and families in Malaysia.
“The launch of Nick di 9 as a Bahasa Melayu block is a significant development in the overall expansion of the brand across South-East Asia”
TV9 COO Bukhari Che Muda says, “Responding to the Government’s call to put Bahasa Melayu as the first spoken language in Malaysia, TV9 has taken the initiative to dub all Nick’s cartoons into Bahasa Melayu. This cartoon lineup being dubbed in Bahasa Melayu is the best way of educating kids to speak in their first language. Now TV9 kids can truly enjoy their favorite cartoon characters, singing and laughing along with them in the same language”.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
