GECs
BBC Studios signs licensing deal with ANC to produce Dancing with the Stars in Nepal
MUMBAI: BBC Studios today announced a deal that will see a Nepali version of the iconic BBC format Dancing with the Stars on television there. This deal with local production house ANC Pvt Ltd will see the Nepali version, Dancing with the Stars Nepal, premiere by the end of 2018. ANC will both produce and distribute the 26-episode series in Nepal.
Multi-award-winning primetime entertainment format Dancing with the Stars from the BBC sees local celebrities partner professional dancers to compete in a dance competition full of glitz and glamour. Every week, contestants have to learn a new dance and showcase their footwork on the dance floor, in a bid to impress a distinguished panel of judges and avoid elimination. To date, over 3500 episodes and 300 series have been recorded around the world. With this format deal in Nepal, Dancing with the Stars will have been sold to 57 countries worldwide.
The licensing deal was sealed by the newly appointed Vice President, BBC Studios, Ron Crasto. Ron heads the New Business Development, OTT and Digital division of BBC Studios, South Asia. He will be responsible for seeking opportunities for BBC brands, content and ancillary businesses in the region.
“We are happy to welcome Ron to head our new business development in South Asia. Ron brings with him immense experience from his previous stints across multiple media companies,” Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM of South and South East Asia, BBC Studios, commented. “We have produced Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the Hindi version of Dancing with the Stars for eight seasons now and are excited to see how it will be received in Nepal. We hope that the Nepali audience will support the new series, and expect that the series will dazzle viewers in Nepal as it has in India.”
ANC Productions, Director, Mr. Vivek Singh said, “The people of Nepal have immense love for dance and we are ready to enthral them with stellar performances. It is a pleasure to work with BBC Studios, and to be a part of the growing Dancing with the Stars community.”
Elsewhere in Asia, the format has previously been sold in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
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.
