GECs
Six ATN channels launch on Canada’s Bell Fibe TV
MUMBAI: Asian Television Network (ATN) International has launched six new channels on Bell Fibe TV, an IP based TV service offered by Bell Canada. Four of them are in collaboration with India’s public service and largest terrestrial broadcaster Doordarshan and the other two with SAB TV Network.
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The channels are GEC ATN-DD India, news channel ATN-DD News, cultural and lifestyle channel ATN DD Bharati, Urdu GEC ATN-DD Urdu, comedy channel ATN – Dhammal and music channel ATN- Mastiii. “We have aggressive plans to add substantial value to our Diaspora and enhance our strong Customer base on a Consumer oriented Pick and Pay Model across Canada,” says ATN CEO and president Shan Chandrasekar.
Earlier this year, ATN collaborated with DD to launch five channels in Canada earlier this year. It had said that it wanted to expand its base through cable, satellite and IPTV platforms across Canada. ATN has 44 channels to its list.
Bell Fibe TV was launched three years ago and it is expected to be available to about five million households by 2015.
ATN caters to the Indian population in Canada. It is also a major distributor of cricket programming in the country.
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.
