GECs
MTV US pumping up volume with different genres
MUMBAI: MTV US is going ahead full steam to strengthen its position among viewers in the 12-24 year age group. It has in the pipeline, a host of innovative shows in different genres.
The projects range from animation to street racing, reality, music and news documentaries. The content aims at capturing the interests and lifestyles of the young adult. With these projects, the broadcaster is looking to further fuel its successful Ten Spot and Sunday Stew programming blocks through 2004-2005.
On the music front, the channel is developing new programmes with Jay-Z. Ultimate Mash-Ups will bring artists from different musical genres together to blend their distinctive styles into one new sound. The concept will be to mix two separate songs into one before a live audience.
MTV US programming president Brian Graden said,”MTV’s Ten Spot is not only the most watched among 12-34 year olds but has also grown tremendously – up 260 per cent over the previous three years. For years, constant development has allowed us to always have something new to offer our audiences who have voracious appetite for fresh programming.”
“With this new slate, we’ll continue to ensure that Ten Spot remains a must-watch destination of our viewers.”
One of the shows that has been greenlit for a pilot is Trippin. Cameron Diaz and a group, including her Charlies Angels co-star Drew Barrymore, travel to Chile to discover adventure and highlight environmental issues.
Then there is Granted, a reality series with Frankie Muniz. In each episode, Muniz will surprise three unsuspecting viewers and whisk them off to solve their problems, jump-start their fantasies and help them live out their dreams.
Muniz enlists the help of sidekicks as well as celebrity experts. The pilot episode features basketball star Derek Fisher helping a team get back its game.
Another reality show is Who Wants To Be A Superhero? Eight comic book fans, who clothe themselves as their comic hero, will compete against each other in games and other challenges. This is aimed to relive their fantasies into exhilarating real-life situations.
When the dust settles, the winner will get to see his/her character featured in his/her very own comic book written by comic book legend, Stan Lee.
In the documentary genre, the broadcaster has come up with the concept of House Arrest. Each episode will feature a different celebrity going home to spend a week with his/her parents and also do their bidding. Can they resolve the long-standing issues they’ve had with mom and dad since childhood?
Another reality show, Power Girls looks at the mechanations of the public relations (PR) industry. The show will explore the life of a team of young publicists, led by press maven, Lizzie Grubman and her PR company. The company controls much of Manhattan, Hamptons and the trendy Miami nightlife.
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.
