GECs
Viacom18 launches Colors Gujarati in UK
Kolkata: Viacom18 Media has launched its regional entertainment channel, Colors Gujarati, in the UK. IndiaCast Media Distribution, jointly owned by TV18 & Viacom18, partnered with Sky & Virgin Media for the channel launch.
The channel is available to Sky subscribers from 1 June on Channel No. 794 and will be available for Virgin Media’s- Asian Mela Pack subscribers from 8 June on Channel No. 825. The network currently offers its flagship general entertainment channel Colors along with the premium entertainment channel Colors Rishtey as well as the movie channel Colors Cineplex in the UK.
With this new addition, Colors Gujarati becomes the only Gujarati language channel available to UK viewers. The channel will bring the best of Gujarati content all through the week along with movie premieres on Sundays at 7 PM.
BT Media and Broadcast director Faisal Mahomed said: “As a leading provider of media services in the UK, BT Media and Broadcast is at the forefront of broadcast innovation. With a successful partner track record, we’re pleased to continue to help Viacom18 capture larger UK audiences through our cutting-edge technology, and as always, we look forward to supporting Viacom18 with their growth plans – both in the UK and internationally.”
Colors Gujarati has been launched with its ‘Dil Thi Gujarati’ motto which mirrors the essence of the fun-loving Gujaratis in the UK. Colors Gujarati creates content that cuts across age groups with genres ranging from drama, comedy, mythological shows, movies, awards, events, and lifestyle. The channel will largely showcase the same shows as India. Some of the popular shows include Bhakta Gora Kumbhar, Rashi Rikshawali, Prem Ni Bhavai, Kahu Chu Sambhlo Chu, and the soon-to-be-launched ManMilap.com.
IndiaCast international business executive VP Govind Shahi said: “We have a large Gujarati speaking population in the UK and they have made their presence felt in the social and cultural fabric of the country. But currently, there is no single Gujarati channel in the UK even though there are various TV channels for Punjabi, Urdu, Bangla, and other regional language audiences. The launch of Colors Gujarati will fulfill this need-gap in the UK. The channel will constitute of best-in-class Gujarati content from our hugely popular India library – including fiction, non-fiction series, and movies”.
With this launch on both Sky and Virgin, Colors Gujarati will reach out to a vast majority of subscribers who can sample and enjoy quality content in sync with their strong socio-cultural identity.”
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.
