GECs
Zee launches dedicated channel for Mideast
MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra’s Zee TV has launched a dedicated channel for the Middle East region.
Zee is clearly hoping to cash in on the advantages that structuring its FPC to tie in with prime time viewing in the Gulf offers. All Indian channels beaming in the Gulf region work with a disadvantage as far as programming timings are concerned because India is 90 minutes ahead of the UAE timewise.
Therefore a 9 pm prime time show in India would actually be telecast at 7:30 pm in the Gulf.
The UAE-based Gulf News has quoted Zee Group broadcast CEO Sandeep Goyal as saying that that while the new channel will continue to have programming primarily sourced from what goes into the Indian broadcast, it will also attempt to produce some of its more popular programmes locally.
The uplink will be done out of Singapore on Asiasat, as is the case with all Zee channels beaming in India. Apart from the Middle East, the coverage extends to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. There are plans to add Maldives or Mauritius at a later date, the newspaper reported.
Zee is also hoping the dedicated feed will help boost regional subscriber numbers, which currently stand at 150,000. Zee TV became a pay channel in July, 2001. In the region, it and its sister channels – Zee Cinema, Zee Music and Zee News – are distributed by Add-Pehla, E-Vision and BRTC.
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.
