GECs
MTV World to produce its first live music show
MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV’s ethnic offering MTV World has announced plans to produce a live performance special featuring Korean popstar Rain on 3 February at MTV’s Studios in Times Square.
MTV Presents: Rain – Live In New York will provide the star with his first US opportunity to perform for and meet with his fans up close and personal. The production also marks the first live music production for MTV World.
MTV World operates television networks designed to super-serve ethnic populations in the US, with Chinese-American focused MTV Chi and South-Asian-centric MTV Desi available on the pay TV platform DirecTV and MTV K, a 24-hour music channel catering to Korean-Americans, scheduled to launch later this year.
MTV News’ SuChin Pak will host the special, talking to Rain about his music, his rising star throughout Asia, his plans to break in the United States and offering fans the chance to ask questions during the special. Rain and his four dancers will perform exclusively for MTV World’s cameras, and meet his fans in the studio audience during a question and answer session.
MTV World senior VP, GM Nusrat Durrani says, “Having an artist like Rain perform in an exclusive setting such as this marks an important milestone for MTV World. Not only does it allow us unfettered access to one of the fast rising stars on the planet, but it also furthers our commitment to breaking artists for US audiences.”
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.
