GECs
Live the High Life on CNN this weekend
QUEST for Wealth: –
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
Sat, February 25 at 1630hrs
Sun, February 26 at 1130am, 1730hrs
ART OF LIFE: –
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
Sat, February 25 at 1800hrs, 2200hrs
Sun, February 26 at 0700am, 2000hrs
Extravagance is the key on CNN this weekend as Monita Rajpal hit the slopes for a luxury ski special in ‘ART OF LIFE’ while Richard Quest goes in search of the high life armed with a cool $5,000,000 in cash during his “QUEST for wealth’.
Staying in the world’s most expensive hotel room at the Mandarin Oriental in New York, Quest samples the world’s most expensive burger costing $120.00 and ice cream sundae costing $1000, in his search for the best that money can buy.
He speaks to billionaires across the globe, including American property tycoon, Donald Trump, Head of Renault’s Formula 1 team, Flavio Briatore and British entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, to find out how to make a fortune and learn about the trappings of wealth.
In his meeting with one of the world’s most famous tycoons, Donald Trump, Quest receives coaching on ‘the art of the comeback’ – how to amass a fortune and do it all over again once you’ve lost it.
Head of Renault’s Formula 1 team, Italian billionaire, Flavio Briatore, is renowned for his supermodel girlfriends, lavish clubs and champagne lifestyle. He tells Quest how his wealth allows him to enjoy the finer things in life.
British billionaire Sir Richard Branson tells Quest about his entrepreneurial beginnings, his management style, and how he oversees a business empire that ranges from airlines to bridal stores. Also in the UK, Harrods boss, Mohammed Al Fayed shows Quest the world’s most expensive bottle of perfume, valued at nearly $200,000.
Quest also travels to Dubai where property developer Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem is building (made-to-order) islands. He takes Quest on his private helicopter to show him some of his creations, including a set of islands designed to look like a map of the world.
The ‘QUEST’ show has been hailed by critics as broadening the boundaries of CNN programming. In recent months, Quest has tried his hand at stand-up comedy, searched for greatness among world leaders, joined celebrity activists on the road from Live8 to G8, examined the world of celebrity chefs and faced up to his phobia of heights in his quest to discover fear. Recent guests have included Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Bono, George Clooney, Beyonce, Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and Evander Holyfield.
‘ART OF LIFE’ stays with the world of money and luxury as Monita Rajpal travels to Whistler to sample a premium ski resort. For US$98,000 a week, guests can make use of a private helicopter to find the best slopes and a personal chef and masseuse, all part of the ultimate chalet package.
For those skiers with hectic schedules, ‘ART OF LIFE’ examines private jet travel which enables skiers to bypass commercial airports and be flown straight to their hotel or ski run. Mallika Kapoor takes a private jet to St Moritz with the marketing director of ‘Net Jets’ to experience the best slopes in the area and enjoy the apr?s-ski wining and dining while staying at the exclusive Palace Hotel.
‘ART OF LIFE’ learns why former ski champion, Simon Jacomet, is now turning his hand to making bespoke skis and Mallika visits the best stores in St Moritz to find the ultimate ski outfit, sampling Escada, Killy and Jet Set labels.
Also in Switzerland, Monita attends the ‘Diamonds in the Snow’ party held by jewellery maker, De Grisogono in Gstaad. Owner and founder of de Grisogono, Fawaz Gruosi is married to Caroline Sheufle, heiress to the Chopard fortune. Monita travels to their Geneva home to view his car collection and share his passion for wine.
CNN’s ART OF LIFE is a new monthly show exploring the art of luxury living. Designed for the discerning viewer, ART OF LIFE showcases all things elegant, stylish and refined. Presented by CNN anchor Monita Rajpal, ART OF LIFE examines the craftsmanship, aesthetics and quality which goes into creating the world’s most valuable items; it takes viewers to some of the world’s most exclusive and exciting locations, and introduces them to the chefs at some of the world’s top restaurants to find out why tables are difficult—and in some cases—impossible to book.
AIRTIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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.
