GECs
Raj TV plans major restructuring, B Shankar rejoins from Turner
MUMBAI: Raj TV has undertaken major restructuring for its top mangement. The first step is the re-appointment of B Shankar, who joins as vice president sales and marketing from Turner International India where he was director sales western India.
Shankar joined Turner in January last year, prior to which he was with Raj TV in the capacity of national sales head – Mumbai. Shankar’s last day at Turner was 10 January and he will be taking on his new responsibility at Raj TV from 24 January.
Apart from this, Vissa TV head R Radhakrishnan has been made Raj TV vice president brand development and research. Radhakrishnan will also be taking on his new responsibility from 24 January.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Raj TV CEO Rajiv Nambiar says, “We are in the process of restructuring our organisation and were looking for an all India sales head. Since we had an old relationship with Shankar, we roped him in.”
Nambiar informs that they will also be making more appointments in the programming, production, management and value added services’ areas. Citing the reason for this, he says, “The year 2004 saw competition hotting up in the South and hence for obvious reason we decided to take this move. We will be converging our team between 24 – 30 January and will be chalking out our growth strategy.”
Both Shankar and Radhakrishnan will be reporting to Nambiar.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Shankar says, “I always wanted to be in the all India broadcast league and that was the reason why I put in my papers at Turner International, where I was only handling western India. With my new responsibility at Raj TV, apart from handling the all India sales and marketing for the channel, I will also be closely involved with new programming initiatives and creative execution. Hence, I will be playing a larger role.”
Shankar will also be involved in building the channel’s international business and will be handling the Sri Lanka market. Speaking on his association with Turner, he says, “It has been a great experience to work with Turner’s team and I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay there.”
Turner International India vice president all India advertising sales Monica Tata, on the other hand says, “Shankar worked closely with our team at Turner and we wish him the best of luck for the future. The details of his replacement are still under process and hence cannot be shared at the moment.”
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.
