GECs
Zee Café embarks on a hunt for the next big toy with the most brutal judges, the kids, with its new show – The Toy Box!
MUMBAI: It is said that kids are the most honest critics and the hardest to please! Zee Café, one of the leading general English entertainment channels, is all set to premiere an exciting new American reality television series, The Toy Box with kids seated at the judges’ panel. Hosted by award winning star, Eric Stonestreet, the show is an ultimate competition series providing talented designers with an opportunity to bring their toy concepts to life. Premiering on 14th of May, the show will air weekdays at 9 pm.
Featuring contestants from around the world, The Toy Box, in each episode will give aspiring inventors a chance to present their toy concepts to a group of mentors who are industry professionals. Once the mentors approve their inventions, the contestants later get to showcase their toys to a panel of children. The children get a chance to judge as well as play with the toys and decide which one works best for them, advancing those contestants to the final round. The season’s winning toy is then produced and distributed by the popular toy manufacturing company Mattel. The show will be judged by four of the toughest but cutest judges ever – singing sensation Sophia; internet sensation Noah; child comedian Toby and the famous child actor, Aalyrah. This innovative show, which brings toys to life, is something all toy designing enthusiasts will definitely look forward to.
Strengthening its programming line-up for FY18-19, Zee Café launches a new content band Nine@9 which brings nine of the biggest reality shows throughout the year at 9 pm for the first time on Indian television. This spectacular programming block kickstarts with the premiere of The Toy Box.
Additionally, all through May, viewers are in for a treat as Zee Café has a great line up of shows. With Mothers’ Day just around the corner, the channel brings special programming on May 13th with season 1 of American Housewife from 4 pm to 6 pm. Fans can also enjoy their favourite shows as the channel brings the finale of The Chefs’ Line on 11th May at 9 pm, The Big Bang Theory (Sundays at 7:30 pm), Will & Grace (Weekdays at 8 pm), Everybody Loves Raymond (Weekdays at 8:30 pm) and Grey’s Anatomy (Weekdays at 10 pm)!
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.
