GECs
Zee tipped to be Nimbus’ telecast partner; uncertainty in the UK
MUMBAI: A day after Nimbus Communications clinched a $612.18 million (Rs 27.24 billion) global media rights deal for cricket to be played in India for the next four years, all speculation revolved around the telecast partner Harish Thawani’s production company would announce on 22 February.
Nimbus begins its term as global media rights owner for all international and domestic BCCI-organised cricket with England’s tour of India that kicks off with the first Test in Nagpur from 1 March. England is scheduled to play three Tests and seven ODIs in the country over the next one and a half months.
All bets currently are on Zee Telefilms being the broadcaster that will be the telecast partner for this series (and for the rest of the four years that the deal runs uptil 31 March, 2010). Media rumblings around this have already begun. A report in Kolkata’s The Telegraph newspaper quotes some of Zee’s rivals as expressing “suspicion that Nimbus will resell the rights to Zee.” The paper cites unconfirmed reports that ESPN-Star Sports and some other bidders were huddled in strategy meetings over the matter.
And further afield, in the UK, both television and radio coverage remains in limbo as Nimbus has reportedly hiked its asking price.
First there is News Corp-controlled British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), which incidentally had bid for the UK territory but was disqualified because it included caveats in its bids. BCCI vice-president and marketing panel chairman Lalit Modi had clearly specified at the time of submission of tenders that any conditions or caveats introduced as adjuncts to any bid would mean automatic disqualification.
In the past, BSkyB has secured rights for matches involving India and England for well short of £1million. This time round though, reports coming in the British press quoting industry insiders say Nimbus has hiked its asking price to over £5 million. BSkyB has had a virtual monopoly on England’s overseas Tests for over 10 years.
Even on the radio front, there is uncertainty with a BBC radio spokeswoman being quoted as saying, “We’re still in negotiations with Nimbus.”
As regards the TV rights, BSkyB could also face competition from Asian-run TV channels in the UK, such as Zee, Sony and Pakistan’s ARY Digital. All three broadcasters target the strong South Asian population in the UK and having this series to showcase would get in huge subscription revenues.
Whether any of these three have the financial muscle to fork out over £5 million for telecast rights remains the moot though.
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.
