In the UK, ZEE TV will be starting 'Choti Bahu' and 'Ranbir Rano' on Monday 12th January and Friday 16th January respectively.

STAR Plus on the other hand will unveil its big property that will replace the longest ever running Indian serial 'Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' - 'Aap Ki Kacheri Kiran Ke Sath'. The programme hosted by Kiran Bedi is loosely based on the American reality show 'Judge Judy' where the host Judy discusses various cases with the normal public and then tries to find out who is guilty in the particular case.

'Aap Ki Kacheri' starts on STAR Plus UK on Monday 5th January at 22:00.

New drama 'Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna' produced by Ekta Kapoor takes over the covetted weekday 20:30 slot, formely occupied by legendery soap 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii'. Its a story of two childhood friends with diverse backgrounds – one a zamindar and the other a mere farmer.

'Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna' starts on STAR Plus UK Monday 5th January at 20:30.

In India, STAR Plus is unveiling its latest reality show 'Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano', and ZEE TV will be beefing up its line-up with a regular soap 'Maa', a thriller 'Monica Mogre' and a reality show 'Dance India Dance'.

'Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano' starts on STAR Plus India on Friday 2nd January. The show will be anchored by Kavita Kaushik and the platform will bring together eight celebrities – Gulshan Grover, Mahesh Manjrekar, Divya Dutta, Rakhi Sawant, Mandira Bedi, Mona Singh, Yash Tonk and Shweta Keswani.

Related link:
ZEE TV to launch two new dramas in January

Top of the bill on Christmas Day will be a takeover show from Rishi Rich Productions featuring all of the label’s artists, H-Dhami, Mumzy, Veronica and new signing Tasha Tah, all of who will transform into radio presenters for the festive season! As well as the main man himself Rishi Rich who’s making a radio comeback after his hugely popular Kiss 100 shows in 2005.

The undisputed rap queen of Bollywood Hard Kaur will also grace the AsianFx studios this Christmas in an exclusive 60-minute show in which she speaks openly about her days as an underground Birmingham MC, the truth behind the hit single "Glassy" and her transition from a local hip hop MC to Bollywood superstar.

Bhangra fans will also be given some festive cheer with a 3-hour takeover show from Punjabi by Nature who will be playing some of the biggest Bhangra songs of the year as well as exclusive material from his eagerly anticipated album 'Homegrown'.

AsianFx has teamed up with Sony BMG UK to deliver a one of a kind R’n’B takeover show from the record label who have the likes of Beyonce, Leona Lewis, Chris Brown and Usher on their books. The "So Urban" takeover show will showcase some of the biggest R’n’B songs and artists of 2009, hosted by executives from Sony BMG records and AsianFx Radio’s Dr Psycho.

Samir Ahmed, Head of PR at AsianFx Radio says:
In 2008, some of the biggest names in the industry have provided their support to us and we’ve provided a platform for new up and coming British Asian acts too, This Christmas season AsianFx Radio has got some real treats for the listeners, some exclusive content from all the genres we cover. All I can say is we’ve worked hard to put the schedule together so hope you all enjoy it and look forward to even bigger things from AsianFx Radio in 2009."

Other highlights to look out for include the return of popular ex-Sunrise Radio presenter Suzi Mann, returning to radio to present an exclusive AsianFx Radio Bollywood Top 20 of 2008 show. New Years Eve will also see AsianFx Radio go international with a live link to Dubai where Jay Sean and Juggy D will provide interviews from Dubai’s biggest New Years Eve celebration at the award winning Asian club night Kandy Klub.

AsianFx Radio would also like to take this opportunity to announce the media partnership with next year’s UK Asian Music Awards. The station will provide coverage, interviews with nominees, winners and organisers and will be giving away tickets closer to the time of the event, which takes place on 5th March 2009 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Natasha Unalkat of Media Moguls says:
"Having AsianFx Radio as media partners this year is fantastic for the UK AMA. The station caters for our intended target audience and play the right mix of music for the contemporary young Asian market, something which the UK AMA’s have heard and recognised when making the decision for media partnerships in 2009. AsianFx Radio will provide us with a unique digital radio and online platform next year."

Related links:
AsianFx Radio unveils new look website
Asian FX confirmed for West Midlands DAB launch

A part of the specials, a string of classic blockbuster movies have been scheduled, along with a selection of popular dramas.

Friday 26th December
14:30
Ali Ejaz, Nana and the comedy king Rangila in the family packed drama 'Namak Halal'; spontaneous and witty drama.

22:30
Begum Nawazish Ali meets the Comedy Badshah Omar Shareef, watch this special show to see how beautifully criticism can be exchanged and accepted.

Saturday 27th December
21:30
Telefilm: Angel, a true story. Cast: Natasha D’Souza and Tipu Shareef.

Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd January
Aaj aur Kaal: a romantic family story with evergreen songs. Starring the dream girl Shabnam and the versatile Rahat Kazmi.

Dubai Chalo: A super hit movie; Fun filled and music drama stars the sensuous Ali Ejaz.

Thursday 1st January
22:30
'Life Har Yaar', romantically funny. Each character fits perfectly in their roles to make this a very special play.
Cast: Suneeta Marshal, Rashid Farooqi and Qazi Wajid

Updated: 23/12/08

The channel had been seeking financial support from various parties but was unable to reach an agreement before it was taken off the EPG last month. It now looks set to make a comeback with investment from MATV.

A spokesperson at MATV confirmed the developments but was waiting for confirmation from Sky about its re-launch date. Programme details at the time of filing this article were unavailable.

A source at WWS also confirmed the news today and said it was likely to re-launch by the second week of January depending on Sky Digital's queue of new channels.

MATV is also working on its new Punjabi channel, which is also likely to launch in January.

Related links:
WWS ceases broadcasting on Sky Digital
Rumour: Two EPG slots on Sky up for sale
Indian shopping channel set for Monday launch

The publication printed on 1st March, headlined "Target Harry – British fanatics threaten him". Adam Tudor, the lawyer representing Bunglawala, said the front-page article published suggested his client was a "fanatical, sneering extremist". Bunglawala subsequently pursued a libel action against the Daily Express's publisher, Express Newspapers.

The Daily Express has already published a full apology both in print and online and removed the article from its website. In addition to the full public apology and the agreement to pay damages, Express Newspapers also agreed to pay Bunglawala's legal costs.

This presenter was supposedly dismissed for two days by the boss of a radio station! The reason? Because the presenter did not drop the boss' guest to the train station! Or so we hear! Sounds as bizarre as the show this presenter hosts!

Disclaimer: 'Media 247.co.uk will be unable to respond to inquiries about the identities of parties concerned in Biz Asia's Industry Whispers'.

Related links:
Biz Asia Industry Whispers - Issue 132
Biz Asia Industry Whispers - Issue 131
Biz Asia Industry Whispers - Issue 130

While 'Ajeeb' produced by Bonnie Jain Productions bagged the ITA Award under the 'Best Thriller' category, 'Remote Control' by Hats Off Productions received two awards - for the 'Best Director' awarded to Samir Kulkarni and for the 'Best Actress in a Comic Role' awarded to Supriya Pathak.

Commenting on the award for Ajeeb, Bonnie Jain of Bonnie Jain Productions, said, "It is very encouraging to be jury's choice for an award in the best thriller show category. Ajeeb is the first fiction show produced under Bonnie Jain Productions banner. I am happy to receive this award and wish to thank 9X and all others associated with this show."

Remote Control is a heartwarming, dramatic comedy based on the lives of a middle-class Maharashtrian family. Featuring, the effervescent Supriya Pathak, Deven Bhojani, Mansi Parekh and Jay Soni, Remote Control is the story of the life of the Babulnath family, where member has his or her own dreams and aspirations that depend largely on money.

Ajeeb is a mysterious love story set in a hospital where something strange is going on. Along with new faces, it has featured some of the biggest stars like Tanaaz and Bakhtiyar Irani, Sakshi Tanwar, Shweta Tiwari, Varun Badola, Shruti Seth and others portraying roles they have never played before.

The awards ceremony will be telecast on STAR Plus.

Updated: 21/12/08

According to IndianTelevision, the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) is planning to seek compensation from the Governing Council because of the cancellation.

Though WACA Chief Executive Graeme Wood has yet to be officially informed about the new schedule, he said they could lose as much as $2 million.

"If we had won the competition the association stood to make probably in excess of $2 million. And for the players it was a great opportunity not only financially but to get on the world stage, in particular some of the younger players," WAtoday.com quoted Wood as saying.

"It certainly would have been very beneficial financially. We stand to lose a minimum $500,000. And if the team performed very well and we got into the top four and the top two, there was significant gains financially," Wood added.

The first edition of the Champions League T20 was originally scheduled to be played in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai from 3rd to 10th December 2008, but was postponed in view of the terror attacks on Mumbai on 26th November.

In the UK, the matches were to be shown on Geo UK.

Related links:
Geo UK boasts more cricket acquisition
Mumbai Terror: More Indian cricket cancelled
ICL cancelled due to Mumbai massacre
Channels switch to Mumbai serial shootings

'The Annual Top 20' presented in Jay Sean’s own unique presentation style, has been carefully compiled based on songs played on B4U Music, viewer feedback as well as opinions and analysis from DJ’s at leading radio stations.

The channel claims the show is a first for B4U Music which has in the recent past played more exclusive songs than any other channel and has consistently maintained the highest standard of programming with the latest songs from Bollywood as well as the UK Asian Music scene.

"Jay Sean was an obvious choice to present the Annual countdown to the 20 biggest non Bollywood hits of the year gathering from his phenomenal success in the UK Asian Music scene. B4U Music is extremely delighted to present this show to our millions of viewers in the UK and across the world which will certainly be informative and of course very entertaining." said Kevin Rego, Head of Sales and Marketing B4u Network, Europe.