GECs
Zee, Bennett, Discovery, Disney, NDTV, Viacom 18, BBC & Raj TV among 112 channels awaiting clearance
NEW DELHI: Even as the government claims to have permitted 892 private satellite television channels as on 28 February 2017, applications of a total of 112 channels have been awaiting clearance, some of them since October 2010.
Stating this, the minister of state for information & broadcasting told the Parliament that the government has no plan to place a ceiling on the number of TV channels in the country.
Meanwhile, a list annexed to the minister’s reply showed that Cinema 24*7 leads the list of those awaiting clearance with seven channels. Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd and Zee Media come next with six channels each.
Six companies are awaiting clearance for three channels each: Yogi Networks, Vedic Broadcasting Ltd, Eduall India, Media Worldwide Ltd, Raj TV Network and Neo Broadcast Pvt Ltd.
Those who have applied for two channels each include Springtide Infotainment Media, Vrinda Channel, Enter 10 TV, AETN 18 Media, Viacom 18, Chaman Broadcasting, Kasthuri Media, BBC Global News India, Discovery Communications, Dev Varsha Jatropha Bio-Energy Ltd, Kamyab TV, Sowbhagya Media Pvt Ltd, and Sudarshan TV.
All others including NDTV Lifestyle and Disney International have queued up for one channel each.
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Total of television channels in India rises to 892, with three cleared in June
81 teleports permitted to uplink, downlink TV channels
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.
