Television
Zee sweeps 30 metals at GEMA Awards, crowned regional entertainment brand of the year
Network bags 14 gold and 15 silver as storytelling muscle pays off
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has walked away from the GEMA TV/Streaming India Awards 2026 with its trophy cabinet groaning, scooping 30 honours including the top prize, entertainment brand of the year, regional. The haul, comprising 14 gold and 15 silver metals, cements the network’s claim to turning good stories into properly durable brands across markets, languages and platforms.
The wins land on the back of a busy year for Zee, which has been rolling out its renewed philosophy, Aapka Apna Z, while launching over 100 marquee titles including Zee TV’s Tumse Tum Tak, Zee Marathi’s Kamali, Zee Kannada’s Annaya and Zee 5’s Kaalipotka. Paired with partner solutions powered by its Dilfluencers initiative, the push has sharpened the network’s cultural relevance and deepened its grip on audiences across regions.
GEMA, formerly known as Promax and run by the Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences, ranks among the most prestigious awards going for creative excellence in media and entertainment, honouring outfits that blend creative firepower, strategic thinking and cultural impact.
Zee’s wins spanned fiercely contested categories including brand promotion, storytelling, idea craft, design and creative execution, with recognition spread across Zee TV, ZEE5, Zee Cinema, Zee Marathi, Zee Tamil and Bangla ZEE5.
The winning campaigns ranged widely: the network’s own rebranding push, Aapka Apna Z, market-crossing stories like Jagadhatri, emotionally charged initiatives such as Mother’s Day x Dilfluencer, moment-led collaborations including the Yere Yere Pausa Folk Remix, and fan-engagement plays around the 23rd Zee Cine Awards 2025 and Abar Proloy 2.
Kartik Mahadev, chief marketing officer for Zee and Zee 5, called the 30-metal haul a proud milestone and a testament to the creative ambition driving the network’s brands, crediting the strength of his teams’ creativity, craft and collaboration. He singled out the OAP, design and copy teams for special mention, saying their work brings the network’s brand experiences to life for consumers every day.
With storytelling now doing as much heavy lifting as content itself, Zee’s message to the industry is unmistakable: the network isn’t just producing entertainment, it’s building brands built to win.
