GECs
Radio City may pip rivals to post in Delhi launch
NEW DELHI: Music Broadcast Pvt. Ltd (MBPL), in association with Star, may just be the first one to launch a private FM radio station, Radio City, in the capital this weekend.
According to information available, senior executives of Radio City, including CEO John Catlett and COO Sumantra Dutta, are to announce its plans tomorrow here.
While the P.K. Mittal promoted MBPL is the licence holder, the content, marketing and ad ales for the FM radio stations are to be taken care by the Rupert Murdoch controlled Star India.
Radio City’s launch is likely to be followed by Radio Mirchi (tentative launch date April 28) from the stable of Bennett, Coleman &CO. Ltd, publishers of Times of India and Economic Times.
Part of The India Today Group, Radio Today is also expected to launch its FM radio station soon in the Capital.
However, in recent times, private FM radio players have been petitioning the government to go in for revenue sharing instead of a licence fee, which, they say, is bleeding them as the losses are more than the revenue generated.
Meanwhile, RED FM has secured a coup of sorts by bringing Ameen Sayani, the veteran voice of Indian Radio industry back. He will host and produce programmes exclusively for 93.5 RED FM. Sayani will anchor Sangeet kay Sitaron Ki Mehfil presented by IDBI Suvidha.
Sayani has been associated with radio since 1951. He is known and recognised for his extremely charismatic voice and his most famous show was the Colgate Cibaca Geetmala (formerly Binaca Geetmala) .
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.
