GECs
Pakistan Broadcasters Association to oppose PEMRA Indian content ban
MUMBAI: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) shocked both Pakistan and Indian broadcasters when it issued an order blanking out all Indian content from Pakistan’s television channels on 19 October.
Close to Rs 150 crore of Indian content exports to Pakistan went up in smoke with that order. And, Indian broadcasters’ syndication and film distribution teams – including those from Zee TV, Viacom18, Sony Pictures Networks India, Star India, YRF, Dharma Productions, T-Series etc – were still reeling from the shock of the draconian diktat. As were Pakistan channel, FM radio and film distribution executives and theatre owners.
Apparently, the Pakistan media fraternity is not going let PEMRA have its way easily. The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) , the representative body of the TV channels and FM radio services is mulling taking legal recourse against PEMRA’s sudden order.
According to Pakistan industry sources, the PBA is likely to take PEMRA to court, objecting to its arbitrary decision.
Says a senior Pakistan TV channel executive: “The current limitation of 10 per cent international and six per cent Indian content was done through an act of Parliament. PEMRA is overstepping its brief by promulgating its new order. It has no business doing so. For us to follow it, the new order has to be passed by the government when the parliament is in session. Hence, we will approach the court for succor.”
However, observers are not sure if Pakistan’s courts will go against PEMRA’s order. On a previous occasion, in 2013, a high court judge had supported the complete ban on Indian content entering the country and passed an order to that effect.
Broadcasters meanwhile acknowledge that content trade between India and Pakistan was tilted towards India. “But, in recent times, Indian broadcasters have started acquiring more Pakistani content. And over time we had hoped that the Indo-Pak content trade would be equally split in revenue terms between the two countries. Now we don’t know how much of a setback it will be to our plans to export more to India,” says a Pakistan broadcast television executive..
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PEMRA Indian content ban to impact broadcasters
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.
