GECs
Sony is ready to buy over DD terrestrial
MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television CEO Kunal Dasgupta is in a fiery mood. Just back from power packed meetings with senior Sony Pictures Entertainment executives in Los Angeles, Dasgupta had one question on his mind. “What’s happened to the deal hawking off DD-2 to another company for 10 years?”
He says if the government is open to giving away more of DD Metro to any other company, he’d like Sony have a go at it. “If they’re going to give away terrestrial, Sony Entertainment will take away the entire terrestrial frequency,” he elaborated. “We want to get SET onto DD.”
With Sony now throwing its hat into the DD-2 sellout game, one will have to wait and watch for responses from Star, Zee TV, Sahara and B4U. Can we hear Sun TV’s Kalanithi Maran also beating the same drum?
Kerry Packer and Channel Nine India boss Ravina Raj Kohli may be in for a spat if Dasgupta and the rest of the television executives mean business.
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.
