GECs
Star News goes hi-tech with mobile newsgathering
MUMBAI: With a slew of news channels entering the domestic television market, each of the new entrants wants to have an edge over the other.
According to software applications & services provider Beehive Systems, which announced that Star News has acquired its newsgathering solution – vid’linkMOBILE, the News Corp-controlled news channel now has that edge.
The system, which has been successfully used for news coverage of the US-led invasion of Iraq, has empowered Star News correspondents with a lightning fast newsgathering system, a Beehive release says.
Star News has bought 14 software licenses of the product. vid’linkMOBILE is the latest technology for cost-effective and rapid newsgathering, the release says, and allows journalists to transmit live video and audio content to broadcasters via a satellite phone or traditional Internet connection.
Facilitated by a video codec, vid’linkMOBILE is based on video technology that combines mobility with faster transmission of high-quality broadcast video. It is unique in its ability to transmit high quality video over low bandwidth allowing for transmissions 70 per cent faster than other compression standards, the company claims.
Ajay Pal Singh, V-P, Beehive Systems was quoted in the release as saying that “vid’linkMOBILE would always provide Star with a definitive advantage of being first on the air.”
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.
