GECs
Sesame Workshop & Turner to co-produce ‘Sesame Street’ in India
MUMBAI: Sesame Workshop and Turner International India have teamed up to co-produce Sesame Street in India. The development phase of the Sesame India was provided through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICICI Bank.
Sesame Workshop had launched its Indian operations in August 2004. The series that will feature new Indian Muppet characters, locally produced live action and animation segments, and classic Seasame Street moments with Elmo, Cookie Monster and the rest of the gang.
The series will make its debut in 2006. According to a company release, the series will be distributed on multiple platform across India.
A research team comprising Indian educators, media programmers and child development experts and producers will bring in an innovative curriculum.
According to an official communique, the country’s rich cultural diversity will also be reflected in the music, live action and animation segments.
In the first season, Sesame India will be in Hindi, though some English words and simple phrases will be incorporated into the series. The innovative series will subsequently be available in other languages, informs the media release.
In addition to the TV series, a Sesame India radio program and outreach materials, including posters and flashcards, will be distributed in both urban and rural areas.
Sesame Workshop’s president and CEO Gary E Knell as quoted says, “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to create innovative engaging content that maximizes the educational power of media to help children reach their highest potential.”
“As with all our adaptations, we are now working with local experts to identify Indian children’s issues and how to best address them on-and off-air. We’re thrilled to work with Turner, the undisputed leader in Indian kids’ television, to build a long-term presence and to together serve the children of the amazing Indian sub-continent,” says Knell.
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.
