GECs
NGC unveils its ‘Think Again’ global repositioning campaign in India
NEW DELHI: With an eye on aggressively driving advertising revenues and viewership, National Geographic Channel (NGC) today launched its new channel positioning ‘Think Again’ in India as part of its global repositioning campaign.
“The new NGC is bolder, more contemporary and about entertaining the curious mind,” NGC International senior vice president, creative and marketing, Guy Slattery, told a press conference here today.
On cue, NGC Network India head of ad sales Nikhil Mirchandani said that the channel’s aim is to push advertising revenue up by 200 per cent by the end of June 2006. NGC follows a July-June financial year.
Though Mirchandani demurred from handing out other financial details, he did admit that the new brand positioning, coupled with some other initiatives, has yielded NGC dividends globally.
“The channel now needs to address the challenges of converting first-time advertiser experiences into longer-term relationships as well as broad basing its appeal to an even larger set of advertisers,” he added.
The programming too will be in tune with the new positioning and will cater to the “knowledge seeker” who is curious about the world. It stems from the channel’s need to continuously stay relevant to its viewers.
The positioning will ensure that NGC maintains its mission to “promote knowledge of the world and all that’s in it,” while becoming more entertaining and engaging.
“Television language is changing and it’s different than (that used for) print,” Slattery said, adding that the channel is conscious of this fact and also the need to be entertaining and engaging.
The programming on the new NGC deals with issues that impact people’s daily lives —- from SARS, bird flu, mad cow disease to AIDS and small pox, from mega cities, mega structures to technological advancement in the field of crime and crime management.
“The new programming on NGC today is more relevant, more topical and more relatable (by viewers),” Dilshad Master, senior vice president, content and communication said, “Our aim is to retain the historic essence of National Geographic as we grow in the direction of our viewer’s interests and needs.”
The line-up includes series such as Nat Geo Investigates, In the Womb, Ultimate Survivor and new episodes of Megastructures, Frontlines of Construction, ShowReal Asia and Taboo. The Channel is also premiering ‘Deep Jungle Week’ which examines how new technology and scientific ingenuity is revealing secrets of the world’s endangered rainforests.
The new on-air graphic elements also feature light and vibrant effects. To promote the new look and feel, the channel is also rolling on-air IDs and advertising spots based on the ‘Think again’ theme. The IDs and spots communicate the theme ‘Think again’ in a way that is not only smart, innovative, entertaining but also humorous.
Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC US, which is a joint venture of NGT&F and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in over 230 million homes (including day-part households) in 153 countries and 27 languages.
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.
