GECs
Zee strengthens early primetime with ‘Rajaa Betaa’
MUMBAI: After launching four new shows last year in the primetime slot, Zee is adding another feather to its cap by launching yet another show named Rajaa Betaa in the early primetime. It will premiere on 15 January, Monday to Saturday at 6.30 pm and is produced by Sobo films.
Zee TV business head Aparna Bhosle said, “Zee was pretty set in its prime time and the next strategy that we wanted to tackle was to strengthen our pre-prime slots." Therefore, Raabta, Guddan and Man Mohini were launched last year.
She added further that a good show is time agnostic. A good show will attract viewers even at the last hours of 4pm.
As far as content strategy is concerned during big events like IPL and the country's main election, "Zee actually grew in IPL last year. When your content offering is strong, viewership invariably follows," she said.
The recent TRAI tariff order will have given a jolt to broadcasters where they are likely to lose chunks of viewers. But Zee is unfazed. Zee's strong primetime viewership, says Bhosle, is testimony to its good content that people will demand for.
However, she expects significant changes in viewing patterns to take place. According to her, people consume at max 130 channels when surfing. So, some channels may not make it to a viewer's list.
Zee, on the other hand, seems ready to tackle challenges head on.
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.
