GECs
SaharaOne strengthens 8:30-10:30 pm band with new shows
MUMBAI: With the dawn of the New Year, SaharaOne has got into an aggressive mode as far as new programming initiatives are concerned. The channel will be launching three new shows through January and February, thus buttressing their 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm time band.
Come 17 January and the channel will launch two new dailies. The first being an interactive show called Dial and Win at 8:30 pm followed by A.D.A (Acting and Dance Academy) at 9 pm, both of which will be aired from Monday to Thursday.
Dial and Win will be a live interactive half hour show where viewers can call in and answer some generic questions asked to them and win great prizes. Also interesting is the fact that in case the caller does not know the answer to the question, he or she can take help from family members and yet win if they answer correctly. With the strategic time placement of this show, SaharaOne hopes to drain in viewers from here into their other new offering – A.D.A.
In effect, with A.D.A coming in, the comedy band has been wiped out from the channel. The new show will be replacing Sridevi starrer Malini Iyer, which aired on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9 pm and Bhagwan Bachaye Inko that aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the same time band.
On Valentine’s Day – 14 February, SaharaOne will be launching a reality show titled Dil Chahta Hai produced by Miditech in the 9:30 pm time band. Also a point in note here is that Star One has a similarly titled weekly show called Dil Kya Chahta Hai, which airs on Thursdays at 9:30 pm and reflects life in a big city and what it means to be a man, with all its faults, failures and successes.
The recently launched Hema Malini starrer Kamini Damini on SaharaOne is already airing on the channel from 27 December in the 10 pm slot. With the coming of Kamini Damini, SaharaOne’s fairly new show Kuch Love Kuch Masti, which hasn’t been doing too well was pushed to the 11:30 pm slot and is slated to go off air very soon.
Speaking on the launch of A.D.A, which has been conceptualised by Ken Ghosh and produced by Percept Production Company, SaharaOne Television COO Karuna Samtani says, “A.D.A. is a very realistic story and at the same time is light hearted, fast paced and glamorous. The premise is that of a dance and acting school for the aspiring youth in the country.”
Ghosh on the other hand says, “When you throw in 12 young people in the same serial, you are bound to get something that is fresh and vibrant. We have also included songs in the serial as they are a way of expressing joy and happiness, which is not really seen on television.”
A notable innovation in A.D.A is that a monthly contest called ‘Kaun Banega Soap Star?’ will be woven into the show, which will give viewers a chance to participate and grab a role in the serial. Speaking to indiantelevision.com on the same, Samtani says, “There are a lot of talent hunts going on but at the end of the day not many give tangible returns to the winners. Our effort will be to give one person a chance each month to realise their dream through our contest.”
SaharaOne apart from strengthening its programming has also strengthened its programming team with Kumud Chowdhary taking over as the head of programming from 11 January.
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.
