GECs
Vh1 to beam into Russia
MUMBAI: MTV’s sister niche channel Vh1 is to be launched in Russia and will beam into as many as 135,000 homes via cable and satellite platforms.
The Vh1 channel will become a free-to-air terrestrial service in early 2006, taking its reach to more than 1.5 million households.
The channel will feature a mix of local and international content, launching with the video for Blood Group by Russian band Kino, besides music videos and concerts.
The channel will also serve up popular Vh1 shows, news and specials from the US. By the end of next year, Vh1 Russia plans to produce its own programming.
The channel joins MTV Russia, which launched in 1998. The free-to-air service is seen in 29 million households in over 700 cities throughout Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Republic of Moldova and Russia.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
