GECs
Sony reports decline in 3Q film, games revenue
MUMBAI: Sony has announced consolidated results for the third quarter that ended 31 December 2003. In the motion pictures segment the sales decreased compared with the same quarter of the prior year due to a decrease in home entertainment revenues.
The sales and operating revenue saw a decline of 29.3 per cent to Y181.2 from Y256.3 in the corresponding quarter in 2002. Results were negatively impacted by the disappointing US theatrical performance of Ron Howard’s western The Missing. The home video segment meanwhile missed a big ticket item like Spiderman. Overall however the sales and operating revenue saw a marginal 0.7 per cent increase to Y2,307.7
Sales in the game segment decreased due to decreased sales of hardware, although sales of software increased.
On a more positive note operating income increased in the music segment, primarily due to benefits realised from restructuring activities. The operating income here saw an increase of over 50 per cent. Sales for the US operations increased by six per cent. Album sales increased due to higher sales outside the US. Also helping the situation was the appreciation of European currencies.
During the quarter, Sony and Bertelsmann AG announced that they had signed a binding agreement to combine their recorded music businesses in a joint venture. The newly formed company, which will be known as Sony BMG, will be 50 per cent owned by each parent company. It will not include Sony Music’s music publishing, physical distribution and disc manufacturing businesses or Sony Music Japan. The merger is subject to regulatory approvals in the US and the European Union.
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.
