GECs
Sony Pal to bring curtains down on existing shows
MUMBAI: The media industry is abuzz with rumours. And the target this time around is Sony Pal, the newly launched channel from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable. If rumours are to be believed, the channel, which went on air on 1 September 2014, has already sent notices to producers and actors of the existing shows to wrap up by 13 February.
When quizzed about the rumours, Sony Pal and Sab TV senior EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor told Indiantelevision.com, “We are currently drafting a press release, and the official statement will come in the morning. You will know the exact status then.”
As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the channel had said that it would be revamping its content owing to the failure of a few of its shows, which did not connect with its target audience. By the end of December, Sony Pal was airing only four shows, of the nine that it had launched with.
The nine offerings were Simply Baatein produced by GR8 Entertainment and anchored by Raveena Tandon, Dil Hain Chota Sa Choti Si Asha, produced by SOL Productions and hosted by Ragini Khanna and Jay Soni, Shashi Productions’ Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi, Miloni Films’ Khushiyon Ki Gullakh Aashi, Singhasan Battisi by Creative Eye, Pia Basanti Re by Rashmi Sharma and Pawan Kumar, Tum Sath Ho Jab Apne produced by Sphere Origins, Sister Didi by DJ’s Creative Unit and Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain by Balaji Telefilms.
The channel had slashed its three and a half hours of original content to two hours starting from primetime 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The current running shows include Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain, Singhasan Battisi, Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi and Sister Didi.
A producer on condition of anonymity said, “Yes, the channel is undergoing a revamp and it will be back with new shows, post the Indian Premiere League.”
Many in the industry feel that Sony Pal was unable to differentiate its content from the network’s flagship channel – Sony Entertainment Television. “The channel could come back with a more segmented content with a hope to catch viewers’ attention,” added a media planner.
Kapoor, in an earlier interview to this website, had said, “When we went out checking with our core TG (women GEC viewers) to what they found right and not right with the channel in terms of content, the consumers came up with very interesting answers which threw some pointers on what core corrections were required.”
“We are soon going to come back in the same slots, which have been shut down with new programmes in terms of dailies and with consumer feedback on-board. Hopefully, this time around we will go to the next level. We are going to come back with exact consumer expectations as they have articulated after viewing the channel,” he had said.
Rumours are also rife that post the revamp, Sony Pal could move from being a pay channel to becoming a free to air channel.
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.
