GECs
SABe TV turns 2 on 23 April; launching new shows on DD Metro, Udaya
Three new dailies from the Sri Adhikari Brothers stable will start beaming on Doordarshan Metro beginning 30 April. A bi-weekly thriller, produced by SABTNL, will start beaming on Sun TV’s Kannada language channel Udaya TV at the same time.
The new shows are part of the SABTNL’s plan to supply an additional six hours of programming per week to Doordarshan and increase the total programming hours on DD to nearly 14 hours per week. SABTNL has currently been supplying content for nearly seven hours per week to DD and its regional channels.
The three new dailies on DD Metro include two thrillers, Hello Inspector and The Trap. While Hello Inspector will consist of one off episodes focusing on the world of crime, The Trap will be a continuous story. Kunti, a woman oriented soap, goes on air around the same time. All half hour daily shows, they will be beamed during DD Metro’s prime time, says SABTNL chairman Gautam Adhikari. Both The Trap and Hello Inspector star Ravi Krishan in the lead role, while actress Deepshikha plays the female lead in The Trap. SABTNL has opted for a new face as the lead of Kunti, though.
The channel that turns two on 23 April, is beefing up its own programming with a daily supernatural soap. Directed by Adhikari himself, the serial will be telecast Mondays to Thursdays at 8:30 pm. A daily comedy, to be directed by Kanchan Adhikari, will also take off shortly.
The supply of fresh software to the pubcaster follows DD’s decision to reduce its telecasting fees and waive the compulsory spot buy schemes. The company can expect to double its revenues from DD alone to touch nearly Rs 600 million by the end of the current fiscal. Suraag, which completes three years on DD National this May, has been among the content provider’s most successful shows, netting TRPs of nearly 10 every week. It was Suraag, says Adhikari, that managed to dethrone mythologicals from the top of the TRP charts for Doordarshan.
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.
