GECs
New publishing group targets Asian media coverage
A new media publishing group has been formed in Hong Kong. Called Media Partners Asia Limited (MPA), it will provide coverage of the media and communications industries in Asia. MPA has announced that it will launch a biweekly publication in April, followed by a quarterly journal and annual industry reports. The company will also offer consulting services and organize conferences to meet the strategic goals of global business communities.
MPA has been founded by Vivek Couto and Rupert Wilkinson, former senior executives at Kagan Asia Media (KAM), an affiliate of global media research and publishing company Paul Kagan Associates. Couto and Wilkinson successfully built ventures in publishing (Asia Cable & Satellite World, Asia Broadband Technology, Asia Pacific Media Investor) and research (The Casbaa & Kam Asia Cable & Satellite Guide).
“We’re in the business of creating media value. Media Partners Asia is well positioned to create properties that build on the legacy of Kagan Asia Media,” says a joint statement issued by Vivek Couto and Rupert Wilkinson. “Our mission is to serve global business communities with a variety of content platforms focusing on Asia media development.”
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.
