GECs
Thomson No.2 worldwide in broadcast solutions market after Philips Broadcast acquisition
Further to a preliminary agreement reached in December 2000 with Philips Royal Electronics, Thomson multimedia has recently announced the acquisition of the Professional Broadcast businesses of Philips.
The five businesses of the Philips Professional Broadcast group include cameras, film imaging, signal processing (digital production switchers), media networking & control (routing & switchers), and the Philips broadcast Systems Group.
This acquisition will strengthen Thomson Digital Media Solutions (DMS) division, the fifth business segment focused on business-to-business solutions for broadcasters, content providers, network operators and advertisers aiming at deploying full digital video content solutions, a company press release says.
Thomson multimedia Broadcast Solutions had a turnover of over 400 million Euros of sales in 2000. The new entity is now leader in its market in Europe and number two worldwide.
Further to this acquisition, the new entity, including the previous professional broadcast activities from Thomson broadcast systems, Philips Professional Broadcast will be called Thomson multimedia Broadcast Solutions. Together with Nextream, a joint venture between Thomson and Alcatel dedicated to the highly growing Interactive Video market, Thomson multimedia Broadcast Solutions will address end-to-end needs of the businesses which operate in the digital media chain.
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.
