GECs
Star Plus launches” KBC 2″ in US in December
MUMBAI: Star Plus is launching Kaun Banega Crorepati 2 (KBC 2) on Star Plus in the US, on the DirecTV platform. The gameshow will go air on 2 December, Friday to Sunday, at 10:00 pm (EST) and 7:00 pm (PST).
The announcement was made by the Bollywood icon and KBC anchor, Amitabh Bachchan in a high profile ceremony at News Corp. headquarters in mid town Manhattan yesterday.
According to executive vice president, content, Deepak Segal, Star India has the rights to telecast the show in specific markets. Star Plus is already airing the game show in the UK on Sky. “We have plans to launch the show in more foreign markets,” Segal says.
“KBC and Amitabh Bachchan have captured the hearts of millions and broken ratings records in India. We are proud to bring this TV phenomenon to Star Plus viewers on DirecTV, who can now see the magic of KBC for themselves along with the channel’s other quality programmes,” says executive vice president, marketing and communication ,Ajay Vidyasagar.
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.
