GECs
Pakistan’s cable TV operators end strike
MUMBAI: Cable operators have agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) regarding re-broadcasting of channels without ‘lending rights’.
A spokesman for Pemra said the authority had returned the equipment of the cable operators confiscated for showing the channels, which had not been granted ‘lending rights’ by Pemra.
The cable operators pledged to support Pemra to enforce regulatory regime and they called off their strike in Islamabad on 24th December and resumed their cable service operation. .The spokesman said the satellite channel required registration under rules for getting ‘lending rights’.
The spokesman said 35 channels had no ‘lending rights’ from Pemra including AXN, National Geographic, Reality, Set Max, Sony, Sahara One, Balle Balle, Etc, Channel One, Now, MM, MM2, M NET, Series, Action, Super Sports 1, Super Sports 2, Super Sports 3, Super Sports 4, Super Sports 5, Super Sports 6, Fashion TV International, Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Music, Zee Sports, Zee News, Zee Smile, STAR Ustav, STAR Care, STAR Gold, BHU Movies, BHU Music and E-Entertainment.
On 23 December, Pemra had ordered Pakistan’s cable TV operators to stop airing 35 channels over ‘piracy issues’ and threatened a complete shutdown of the service from this week, a media report said .
“It (the closure of 35 channels) is a regulatory action to force cable TV operators to air only legitimately subscribed channels and stop showing those banned by the government,” said Pemra spokesman Muhammad Saleem. “We have received complaints from these channels and have been urging these operators not to indulge in piracy and show only those channels which they subscribe to.”
The cable industry in Pakistan was legalised in 2000 during the military rule of Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan Television (PTV) had total monopoly in the television industry till private channels, run from outside but catering to Pakistani audiences, began surfacing in mid-2002.
There has been a tremendous growth in cable TV operators in the country over the last two years and besides nearly 1,000 registered with the association, there are countless others operating illegally.
For commercial and political reasons, Pakistan banned some Indian channels in 1999 as the government at that time believed they were hurting the country’s interests.
While they were believed to be indulging in propaganda against the country, these channels were also eating away a major chunk of advertising revenue as people had switched over to more entertaining Indian channels.
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.
