GECs
Zee Lamhe is the third most viewed Asian Channel in UK
MUMBAI: Lamhe proves its popularity as it comes in as third most viewed Asian channel in the UK in the latest round of BARB ratings.
The channel that was launched in the UK market in the mid-2013 has made its own place among viewers with its unique offerings. And the recent BARB rating just affirms that. Lamhe beat many other longer standing channels and programmes and even boasted the top most viewed slots across various times of the day amongst all channels.
The channel reaches an audience of over half a million each week, showcasing only the best of South-Asian entertainment, free, with classic Dramas, Bollywood Classics, lifestyle, travel, cookery and more. This offering is popular across a broad range of the audiences, with many of its slots topping amongst a young audience aged 16-34 years. The channel’s top show on 6 Jan was Astitva, attracting almost 50,000 viewers per minute at prime time 9:30pm, with over 25 per cent of these viewers being from the young age band.
Free-To-Air Channels business head Archana Kanade said in a release: “Lamhe has been successful in offering to today’s audience a viewing experience that they do not find elsewhere. For Lamhe to consistently come out top at certain time slots week on week is a tough feat in today’s saturated TV market. Many channels today have one-off properties that help them to gather their audience numbers, whereas Lamhe’s schedule draws in viewers throughout the day and across various shows.”
The line-up of the month includes critically-acclaimed shows including Amanat, Hasratein and Malgudi Days as well as classics celebrating the all-time sizzling actresses of Bollywood – such as Babita, Madhuri Dixit, Dimple Kapadia, Sridevi – on weekend movies at 7:30pm. Viewers can also watch out for new additions to the channel.
Lamhe is free to enjoy on Sky 798 and is also available on Virgin Media 811. It has also recently launched on Freeview channel 53 in the Manchester region.
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.
