GECs
New Sahara Samay regional channels in May, July
MUMBAI: Buoyed by the enthusiastic initial response to its news channels, Sahara intends to adopt a novel strategy of pulling in day time viewers with interesting news features attractive to the housewife.
According to Sahara Media and Entertainment head Sumit Roy, Sahara Samay (which has dropped the name Sahara from its logo after initial reports that the logo looked huge, but plans to revert to the old one), will outsource shows to Miditech, Karan Thapar, Vinod Duas company. Even Bihar heavyweight Laloo Prasad Yadav will anchor a show to bring in the additional viewers during non prime time.
With two of its channels launched, the month of May 2003 should see the launch of the Bihar and NCR channels while Mumbai, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh channels will launch by July.
“The strategy that has been employed in the first regional channel (Uttar Pradesh) of using common people to air their voices rather than experts, politicians and columnists, will be slowly deployed among the other channels too,” says Roy.
“Ten ad brands are already on board,” says a relaxed, optimistic Roy, just containing himself from expounding on initial reports that have given Sahara Samay a better report than competitors.
“The soon-to-be-launched periodicals across the country will only enhance the Sahara brand and make it a complete media experience,” Roy says.
Distribution wise, the channel is now making efforts to improve connectivity and push itself up the prime band, though Roy would rather stress on quality of content to promote and sell the channel. “In Mumbai, we are already there in more than 80 per cent households. Barring a few pockets, distribution is not a problem,” Roy says.
Well, there is a lot of hard work yet to be done to face cut-throat competition in the news channel segment.
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.
