GECs
Zee Entertainment UK launches &TV on Samsung TV Plus
Mumbai: Zee Entertainment UK is expanding its presence in the UK and Europe with the launch of &TV on Samsung TV Plus. This follows the successful introductions of Zee One in Germany, Zee World English, and Zee Magic in France.
&TV is the first Hindi entertainment channel on Samsung TV Plus in the UK, targeting the five million-strong South Asian population. It offers popular shows like Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain, Atal, Begusarai, Tere Bin, and Ghar Ek Mandir, all with English subtitles. These programs focus on relatable experiences, emotions, and cultural nuances that connect with British Asian audiences.
This launch strengthens Zee Entertainment UK’s relationship with the British Asian community, offering an engaging and enjoyable viewing experience on Samsung TV Plus.
Samsung TV Plus UK lead, content acquisition Stuart Pearson said, “We are thrilled to introduce &TV to Samsung TV Plus in the UK. This exciting addition brings countless hours of Bollywood-centric content to viewers in the region. Our partnership with Zee is built on robust fundamentals of audience engagement, and we are delighted to continue this successful collaboration.”
Zee Entertainment Enterprises chief business officer – international business, Ashok Namboodiri, said, “We are absolutely delighted to announce the launch of our new channel, marking the first Hindi language channel on Samsung TV Plus. This incredible collaboration allows us to bring even more of our engaging and popular content to viewers in the UK. Following the successful launches of three other channels in the UK and Europe, this partnership with Samsung TV Plus is truly remarkable and an exciting milestone for us.”
Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming service, requiring no subscription, sign-up, or additional devices. It is pre-installed on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 to 2024 and available for download on Samsung Galaxy devices in select regions. The service is available in the UK and 15 other European regions with only an internet connection required.
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.
