GECs
Sony’s stakes claim as frontrunner in 9-10 pm band
The soap brigade has elbowed its way into the top position in the 9 to 10 pm band as well. The waning KBC has helped Sony’s Kkusum and Kutumb climb to the top of the charts, even as Star continues to hold sway with two more Balaji soaps in the 10-11 pm slot.
Kkusum, Sony says, has registered a steady rise in ratings, with the TAM ratings for the week ending 1 December, putting Kkusum at 8.6. Kutumb, the saga of a couple who get married for vengeful purposes, has apparently been a consistent favourite with viewers from the first week. The channel claims an ‘incredible high of 6.6 in only the fourth week after its launch’, quoting TAM ratings for the week ended 1 December. The sample covers the north and west (Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Rest of Maharashtra and Rest of Uttar Pradesh).
Kkusum, a daily soap on weekdays, is the only show to have toppled KBC from its perch in the 9 pm slot, claims Sony. Kutumb, which runs Mondays through Thursdays, is the channel’s latest offering, but has already established a lead in its slot at 9:30 pm.
SET needs to ensure that both the soaps hold viewer interest, with Star just having brought in the Neena Gupta hosted Kamzor Kadii Kaun (airing Tuesdays at 9 pm). Star is also introducing another serial Sanjivani, that promises to be quite gripping, based as it is on the US series Chicago Hope. Sanjivani will take the 9 pm slot on Wednesdays from 16 January 2002.
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.
