GECs
Zee TV’s ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ to continue in a new format
MUMBAI: Encouraged by the good performance its reality talent hunt Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 has been putting up on the rating front, Zee TV has decided to give an extension to the programme.
A revamped version of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will immediately follow the Challenge series, which will be over by the first week of March 2006.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Zee Network VP Ashish Kaul agreed that the decision was inspired by the good ratings. However, he added that it was a well-thought out decision and not a knee-jerk one.
“Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a year-long property for Zee. Unlike the talent hunts on other channels, it never takes a break. Since the Challenge series was about to end, we were planning to launch a new series. Then this thought came up that, why not a new format for the same show. Hence, we have now decided to retain the property in the same time slots,” says Kaul.
Zee TV is expected to make a formal announcement about the launch of the new format and the promos will be breaking by 10 February. When queried about the details of the new format, Kaul said the channel was in the last stage of finalising the details. However, he reveals that the new format will give a chance to the contestants who have been voted out of the Challenge series.
“We have received an amazing and overwhelming response to recall contestants who have been voted out by public voting. We have decided to give another chance to our ousted contestants. Zee is in the process of fine-tuning details and will make an in-show announcement in the next few days,” he says.
As already reported by indiantelevision.com, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 has helped Zee TV to reach the number two position in the General Entertainment Channel (GEC) rating in All Day parts. In the last four week period, the show scored an average TRP of 3.53, ahead of the Sony reality talent hunt series Indian Idol which scored an average TRP of 3.31.
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.
