GECs
Viacom-owned TNN changes look, name
NEW YORK: The US based cable network TNN (The National Network owned by Viacom) has announced its plans to change its name to Spike effective 16 June. The channel will change its positioning and will target males.
TNN president Albie Hecht was quoted as saying that the name Spike conjures up images of being “smart and fun and irreverent.”
Hecht also states that TNN is the first network to open admit that it is targeting males. Nearly 66 per cent of TNN’s viewers are males. TNN already airs properties such as World Wrestling Entertainment, Star Trek: The Next Generation and a made-up game of basketball played on trampolines called “slam ball. Its most popular programs, Monday’s two WWE wrestling shows, are off 22 percent in viewership, with “Star Trek” down 32 percent, Nielsen Media Research said.
Spike will also work with men’s health magazine to produce segments on fitness or relationships, and CBS Marketwatch to provide financial updates.
New programmes in the works include A Guy and His Stuff about gizmos and gadgets, and Top 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience which will follow men to top sporting events like the Super Bowl.
Reports indicate that Spike TV is already available in 86 million television homes.
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.
