GECs
Rebranded Nick, MTV’s kiddie sibling now 12-hours Hindi
MUMBAI: Kids channel Nickelodeon, in its all-out bid to get a toe-hold in Indian TV homes, has renamed itself (on air) as Nick and become almost completely ‘desi’.
Twelve hours of Hindi-dubbed programming from 8 am to 8 pm is what it offers. The 12-hour Hindi feed became effective as of last Thursday (22 April).
Through a dual audio feed, Nick has been gradually stepping up its Hindi content on the channel from four hours in 2003 to eight hours in early 2004 to a twelve-hour time band, effectively the entire viewing time of a kid, according to a company release. Over and above Hindi-dubbed shows, the new Nick identity will also be reflected in the channels ever changing Nick ID, vignettes and interstitials.
Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director, MTV Networks India is quoted in the release as saying: “This is the year for Nick. We have joined The One Alliance platform – this will see serious growth in our penetration. We have gone 100 per cent Hindi to connect with kids across India (English will continue to play a role in relevant markets). We have launched our first marketing initiative with Saif Ali Khan and plan to do a lot more programming around Bollywood. The sure shot way to get to the Indian kid’s heart. All of this should be simply irresistible to any advertiser / brand whose livelihood depends on kids consumption or kids pester power.”
The Dekha Kya? Nick Ab Hindi Mein! campaign is being promoted on-air across Nick, MTV and extensively across local cable channels in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Over and above this, Nick will also be prominently visible through the month of May on outdoor locations across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Leading kids publications (both Hindi and English) will carry the Dekha Kya? Nick Ab Hindi Mein! campaign ads.
Nick, along with sibling channel MTV officially come on board the Sony-Discovery One Alliance distribution platform from 1 May.
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.
