GECs
Sony, Hathway look to end payment impasse
Sony Entertainment Television and the Rajan Raheja-owned Hathway Cable & Datacom are hopeful that their ongoing dispute over dues will be resolved within the next two to three days. Sony has switched off its pay channel service of SetMax, AXN and CNBC to Hathway since 2 January on account of what it says is nonpayment of dues worth around Rs1.5 million for the period from June 2000.
Besides, Sony wants Hathway to increase the declared connectivity of paid subscribers from November 2000. Sony’s distribution head Hitesh Sabarwal said they were only asking that what they were paid should have a reasonable correlation to what was being charged for other pay channels. He, however, expressed confidence that some sort of agreement would be reached within the next two days.
According to cable industry sources, Hathway has a declared paid connectivity of around 10,000 for SetMax in Mumbai, 20,000 for CNBC, and 40,000 for AXN, the Financial Express reported on Tuesday.
Hathway’s argument, according to sources, is that Sony unilaterally made new demands going against what had earlier been agreed upon. Also, they say Sony was demanding payment based on connectivity calculations similar to that enjoyed by the Sony’s main Sony Entertainment Television channel which was way too high. Another argumant put forth by Hathway is that since most of their subscriber base was in upmarket localities, Sony’s “adamance” was losing it a very influential audience.
While SetMax and AXN are off the Hathway network in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, the business channel CNBC is available in some pockets, the Financial Express reported.
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.
