GECs
New shows keep the tempo going at Star Plus
MUMBAI: Some observers wondered whether Star India’s management had gone bonkers. Entertainment sweepstakes leader Star Plus was launching a clutch of new high cost shows just before the biggest Indian television spectacle – the cricket World Cup which is likely to eclipse all other television viewing.
But apparently Star India’s management and programming team knows what it is doing. And that has been bolstered by the ratings the newly launched shows have notched up. Kashmeer, Kucch Kar Dikhana Hai, Shararat-Thoda Jaadu Thodi Nazaakat, Karishma Kaa Karishma, all figure in TAM India’s C&S homes Top 50 list for week four, 2003.
The new fare on Star Plus is a mix bag of soaps, serials, game shows. The entire promotional campaign revolving around the new launches seems to have encouraged sampling amongst the viewers.
A Star press release says that the Friday line-up, Karishma Kaa Karishma, opened with a rating of 5.8, Kucch Kar Dikhana Hai with 7.9 and Shararat-Thoda Jaadu Thodi Nazaakat with 6.8 (Source TAM, C&S 4+, 9 cities).
The TAM ratings for week 4 show that Star Plus continues to hold on to the top position and have a grip over the viewers week after week.
To top it all Star Plus in week 4 has managed to capture even more slots of the 50, with its share of the top programmes amongst Hindi entertainment channels going up to 47. Sony Entertainment has the remaining three whereas Zee has drawn a blank.
The 9:00 -10:00 pm shows have also attained all-time high ratings with Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand at 11.0 (as against second placed Sony’s Kkusum at 3.5) on Monday, Kehta Hai Dil with 8.1 (as against second placed Kkusum at 3.5) on Tuesday; and Sanjivani -A Medical Boon with 9.7 (as against second placed Kkusum with 3.8) on Wednesday.
The release states that Star Plus also touched its highest ever all-week 24-hour share of 15.4 per cent in week 4 of 2003 as compared to 15.1 per cent in the week 27 October- 4 November 2002.
The shares for the Monday-Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 pm. slot stood at an astonishing 43 per cent, the release points out. Regional cable with 10 per cent and Sun TV with 6 per cent followed suit.
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.
