GECs
Parents’ TV Council lambasts sleazy diet on MTV US
MUMBAI: As the first anniversary of Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction during the Superbowl approaches the Parents Television Council (PTC) in the US has released a study.
It has criticised MTV for the “incessant sleaze” of steamy programming aimed at young people.
During a week in March 2004, the Council said that it counted 3,056 flashes of nudity or sexual situations and 2,881 verbal references to sex.
PTC president L. Brent Bozell said, “MTV is blatantly selling raunchy sex to kids. Compared to broadcast television programmes aimed at adults, MTVs programming contains substantially more sex, foul language and violence. Interminently MTVs shows are aimed at children as young as 12. Theres no question that TV influences the attitudes and perceptions of young viewers, and MTV is deliberately marketing its raunch to millions of innocent children.
“The incessant sleaze on MTV presents the most compelling case yet for consumer cable choice. MTV is a subsidized network. As it now stands, parents have no choice but to take and pay for MTV if they want basic cable in their homes. Given a choice,how many parents now being forced to take and pay for MTV as part of a basic cable package, would continue to do so?”
The PTC recorded and analysed 171 hours of programming around the clock during 20-27 March 2004 during MTVs Spring Break coverage. MTVs reality programmes averaged 13 sexual scenes per hour, while music videos on MTV averaged 32 instances of foul language per hour.
In 171 hours of MTV programming, PTC analysts found 1,548 sexual scenes containing 3,056 depictions of sex or various forms of nudity and 2,881 verbal sexual references. That means that children watching MTV are viewing an average of nine sexual scenes per hour with approximately 18 sexual depictions and 17 instances of sexual dialogue or innuendo.
Music videos contained more foul language and violence than MTVs series or specials. In the 109 hours of music video programming contained within the study period, analysts recorded 3,483 uses of foul language (32 instances per hour). Violence occurred in music videos at a rate of 8.6 instances per hour (935 violent scenes).
Meanwhile MTV spokeswoman Jeannie Kedas said that the network follows the same standards as broadcasters. “MTV reflects the culture and what its viewers are interested in. It is unfair and inaccurate to paint MTV with that brush of irresponsibility.We think it’s underestimating young people’s intellect and level of sophistication.”
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.
