GECs
Zee promotes freeing of its channels on UK’s Sky TV
MUMBAI: Three years after it introduced the Sky Asia pack in the UK, the British satellite operator has decided to drop it and put the Asian channels into its basic bouquet. It was in March 2014, that Sky had introduced the pack – consisting of Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Punjabi, Sony Entertainment Television, Sony MAX and B4U Movies – at a price of 15 pounds. But Britasians were slow to subscribe to the package. That was even after it was made available at five pounds to viewers, according to online news reports. The reason: content on the paid pack was available on free TV.
So when the three year agreement with Sky and the Asian channels came up for renewal earlier this year, it decided to change the status quo and put the channels out for free in its three packs – original, variety and box sets. The. original pack is priced at 22 pounds and offers 270 channels; the variety sells at 25 pounds a month for 300 plus channels and the box set pack at 31 pounds a month for 350 plus channels. The Asian channels will be giving company to others such as Star Plus, Star Gold, Life OK, Star Utsav, and MTV Beats, which are also available at no cost.
To promote this change, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, one of the first movers into the UK with its Hindi channels, launched a two week phased campaign starting with a teaser – casting a shadow of suspense over the UK with “Can you keep a ZEECRET” message. The advertising was pushed nationwide accross media, covering key south Asian pockets. It also undertook an innovative viral announcement by Youtube comedian sensation, Pammi Aunty – who not only lets you in on the secret that Zee TV UK, Zee Cinema, Zee Punjabi are free but also tells you what to do with the saving of the £15 monthly Sky Asia Pack fee!
Now the promotion has moved into the nexrt phase with the message: “All Zee, No Fee,” Zee Entertainment Enterprises marketing head – UK and Europe Simran Sablok informed indiantelevision.com. The idea: draw eyeballs to the Zee channel group including Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zing, Zee Punjabi and &TV.
Even as the channels have gone free on Sky, Zee’s channels continue to be available on Virgin as part of the paid Asian Mela pack.
Observers are expecting the slugfest between the Indian channels in the UK to intensify for the already shrinking advertising pound following this move.
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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.
