Category: Television

ZEE Entertainment unveils star-studded commentator panel for DP World ILT20 Season 2

Mumbai: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), the official broadcaster of DP World ILT20, has announced a star-studded panel of commentators for the league’s upcoming second season. The world’s second most-watched league will be brought to life by a panel rounded-off with some of the leading cricketing experts in the world. The voices behind some of the most iconic moments in the sport in recent years — Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Rohan Gavaskar, Saba Karim, Nikhil Chopra, Vivek Razdan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, who will be joined by Alan Wilkins, Simon Doull, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Niall O’Brien.

With an illustrious array of distinguished personalities and renowned voices gracing the commentary panel, ZEE Entertainment promises to deliver captivating action from the league’s second season in an engaging and dynamic fashion. Former India captain Anjum Chopra as well as high-profile sports broadcasters Reema Malhotra and Natalie Germanos will be three esteemed female commentators on the panel.

These accomplished individuals bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a deep passion for the game, promising to deliver comprehensive coverage and expert insights throughout the league’s upcoming season, elevating the cricket-viewing experience. The commentary will be available in English and Hindi languages.

Starting 19th January 2024, cricket fans can watch this only global T20 league on Zee’s most widely distributed and viewed 10 linear TV channels: &Pictures, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, Zee Cinemalu HD, &Flix, &Flix HD and Zee Zest HD and leading OTT platform ZEE5. All single header matches will be broadcast Live at 8 pm India prime time, starting with the pre-match presentation at 7:30 pm. The afternoon match on the double-header’s day will start at 4:00 pm.

Speaking on this announcement, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) president – business Rahul Johri said, “We are delighted to unveil our distinguished commentator panel for the upcoming DP World ILT20 Season 2. The expertise and diverse perspectives of our esteemed commentators will undoubtedly enhance the excitement surrounding this premier cricketing event. As the upcoming season boasts presence of some of the biggest cricket stars worldwide, DP World ILT20 promises to be one of the most-competitive cricket leagues globally. With the league’s rising stature and global appeal, we are thrilled to bring this cricketing spectacle for the audience across the world.”

Expressing his enthusiasm for commentating at the DP World ILT20, Virender Sehwag exclaimed, “UAE’s meteoric rise as a cricketing powerhouse in recent years is truly remarkable, and the DP World ILT20 is undoubtedly another jewel in its cricketing crown. As the highly anticipated Season 2 of the league is around the corner, I am anticipating electrifying performances from power-packed players. Following the phenomenal success garnered by the league’s inaugural season, I am confident in ZEE’s unwavering commitment to amplify the league and offer an exhilarating experience on display for global audiences.”

Speaking about commentating in DP World ILT20, former legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram said, “I am truly thrilled to be part of the commentary team for the second season of DP World ILT20. The three iconic venues in the UAE will serve as the canvas for some of the most prominent T20 stars to showcase their talent.”

Adding to this, former English cricketer and well-known commentator Alan Wilkins said, “I am honoured to be part of the esteemed commentary panel for the upcoming season of DP World ILT20. The recognised global league will be a celebration of the spirit of cricket as the sporting extravaganza unfolds across the UAE. As the second-most watched T20 cricket league globally, I believe that ZEE Entertainment is committed to making the league bigger and better, offering a fresh and exciting experience to a global audience.”

Former Indian cricketer Rohan Gavaskar said, “As we step into the exciting journey of the DP World ILT20’s second season, I invite viewers to get ready for a captivating cricket experience on &Pictures and ZEE5. Featuring a global array of talent and strategic team plays, this season promises fans worldwide a thrilling and engaging spectacle.”

Speaking about the magnitude of the league, former Pakistan cricketer and coach, Waqar Younis who will be part of the upcoming season’s commentator panel said, “DP World ILT20 is truly a cricketing rendezvous, featuring a mix of seasoned players and rising stars, making the league a must-watch for cricket enthusiasts globally. It is a celebration of cricketing diversity, with an array of player and team rivalries. I am very excited to be part of the commentators’ panel for the upcoming edition.”

The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global). Some of the world’s most prominent cricket stars are slated to play in the Season 2, including David Warner, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Chris Woakes and Martin Guptill.

The 34-match event will be played at the three iconic UAE venues – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah – starting 19 January 2024 to 17 February 2024. DP World ILT20 defending champions – Gulf Giants will be facing Sharjah Warriors, followed by Dubai Capitals’ opening match against MI Emirates. Dubai Capitals are set to begin their Season 2 on 20 January 2024. Last year’s runner-up Desert Vipers will open their campaign against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on 21 January at the Dubai International Stadium.

January 9, 2024
Rewind Networks’ HITS NOW to launch on Dialog Television in Sri Lanka

Mumbai: Starting 11 January 2024, the captivating HITS NOW channel will debut in Sri Lanka on Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s television experience, bringing quality curated entertainment to viewers across the country. The channel will be made available on Channel 113 as part of Dialog Television’s comprehensive TV packs.

HITS NOW will be available alongside sister channels HITS and HITS MOVIES. This newest addition to Dialog Television’s lineup, along with Rewind Networks’ longstanding partnership, reaffirms both parties’ shared commitment to providing high-quality entertainment and enhancing the value of offerings to viewers in Sri Lanka.

As a special introductory offer, Dialog Television will provide the HITS NOW channel free of charge to all customers from January 11 to 31 January.

“We are so proud to debut HITS NOW in Sri Lanka with Dialog Television,” said Rewind Networks CEO Avi Himatsinghani. “Dialog Television has been a great partner that has carried our HITS and HITS MOVIES channels since 2019. This collaboration is not only an expansion of our strong partnership, but also a strategic step towards enhancing our presence in the region–Sri Lanka marks the 5th territory in Asia where HITS NOW is available. Our goal is to make HITS NOW a go-to entertainment destination for households in Sri Lanka by continuing to bring in the best of entertainment on our channels.”

“Bringing high quality and diverse content to our viewers has always been an utmost priority for us,” said Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Operating Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC. “Adding HITS NOW to our channel lineup means our viewers across the country can now enjoy an exciting array of content and beloved franchises coming to express from the U.S. The launch of HITS NOW on Dialog Television is testimony of our continued commitment to bring the very best of global content to our viewers.”

The HITS NOW channel will feature well-known franchises and top-rated reality, variety, drama, game and entertainment news shows from the U.S. The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, America’s Got Talent: Fantasy Team, and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test are just some of the exciting titles airing on the channel from January 2024. HITS NOW will also be airing the prestigious 66t Annual GRAMMY Awards live, presented by The Recording Academy®, starting at 9 am (GMT+8) on 5th February with an encore performance at 8 pm (GMT+8) on the same night.

The HITS NOW lineup will feature the ultimate in breathtaking entertainment with exhilarating, branded reality and talent shows like American Idol 2024, Survivor, America’s Got Talent: Fantasy Team, Shark Tank, Hell’s Kitchen, and Britain’s Got Talent, all express from the US. It will also debut brand new reality series like Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, The Traitor and Race To Survive: Alaska; stunning drama series like the successful Fire Country, Sullivan’s Crossing, So Help Me Todd as well as Alert: Missing Persons Unit. Game show junkies can play along with Password, Barmageddon, Supermarket Sweep, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, and Celebrity Family Feud. Those craving light-hearted fare can kick back with heartwarming comedies Lopez vs Lopez, Young Rock, The Goldbergs and Ghosts. The network has got viewers covered for everything Hollywood with the long-running news show Entertainment Tonight, and true crime aficionados can follow real-life cases with Fear Thy Neighbor, Fear Thy Roommate, Snapped: Killer Couples and Murder for Hire.

HITS NOW, celebrated for its award-winning and branded programmes, has garnered a strong following since its launch across multiple territories in Asia in February 2023. Together with HITS and HITS MOVIES, the three channels from Rewind Networks deliver quality curated content to over 13 countries and 24 million households across Asia.

January 9, 2024
IDCA inaugurates 1stT10 Women’s Deaf Premier League 2024 in association with Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla Group

Mumbai: The IDCA 1st T 10 Women’s Deaf Premier League 2024, in association with Serum Institute of India, a part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group, wasformally inaugurated in a glittering ceremony by the Chief Guest, Mr. Bhavin Thakkar, former cricketer, and three-times Ranji Trophy winner. Guest of Honor included Mr. Paschim Pathak, well know Umpire, Ms. Shalini Singh, Group Head – Brand & Communications, RPG Group, Mr.Jaswinder Narang, CEO, Villoo Poonawalla Foundation, representing Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla Group, principal partner, Mr. Sujeet Jain, Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer, Nykaa.-Patron Partner, Sandeep Kumar, Head CSR-ICIL Ltd. CSR partner, Michael Kotas-Managing Director, John Cockerill India.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries from the cricketing & corporate world supporting this maiden Women’s Deaf Premier League, Mr. Prashant Athawale, renowned Commentator; Dr. Chirag Doshi, notablestatisticianand Umpire;and Mr. Dev Dutt, BCCI Certified Coach.

Dedicated to nurturing upcoming sports talent among specially abled youth, Serum Institute of India, a part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group, has joined hands with the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) as the Principal Partner. In this role, the group will extend full support to IDCA for the hearing-impaired women’s tournament as they compete in this power-packed Deaf Premier League to win the coveted cup.

Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony, Thakkar said, “It is a proud moment for me to be associated with IDCA T10 Women’s Deaf Premier League. This league provides a platform for specially-abled women to showcase their talent. They have worked really hard towards it, and I am truly glad to be associated with them. I am also thankful to all partners who are supporting this cause, and I look forward to being a part of it for the years to come. This is indeed a proud moment for me, and together by doing our bit, we can make a big impact for specially-abled women. Let’s help them dream and believe that they too can achieve great heights.”

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, IDCA president Sumit Jain said, “Today is an important tournament as it signals IDCA’s focus on promoting not only world-class cricket but also emphasis on nurturing diversity and inclusion. All our partners share our vision and are committed to helping hearing-impaired cricketing talent and join the ‘DaretoDream’ movement to mainstream these players who have won many accolades for India. This is also a very special tournament as it is the first IDCA T 10 Women’s Deaf Premier league in 2024.”

IDCA CEO Roma Balwani welcoming the chief guest andguest of honour at the inaugural ceremony said, “We are truly honouredby the presence of dignitaries who have come today to celebrate and motivate these hearing-impaired women of substance, who will demonstrate their prowess on the cricket field.Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Modiji has been championing the cause of disability sport in a significant way. He has also promoted the universal usage of sign language which will create more awareness and help break barriers for the hearing-impaired members of communities at large”.

IDCAcommented patron Reena Jain Malhotra said, “It was a special moment for us at IDCA to see our women players come together to play the prestigious maiden IDCA T-10 Deaf Premier League in Mumbai. We are very thankful to all our support partners for their belief in the cause of hearing-impaired cricket. We hope to nurture and make it bigger and better in the year to come”.

Indo Count Industries and IDCA’s CSR partner chairman Anil Jain for this tournament in his congratulatory message to the teams said, “The human spirit is always full of ability, perseverance and courage, which helps in removing barriers related to disabilities.When the promotion of sports is in the fray, this spirit achieves even greater significance. We wish the Indian Deaf Women Cricketers all the very best to compete amongst themselves with their best abilities and play the beautiful game of cricket in best of the spirit”.

In support are IDCA’s long term partners, KFC India, Hero Moto Corp, Collearn, Impact Research, Cognito & Kaizzen.

January 9, 2024
‘Game-changers: Top gaming startups revolutionising the industry’

Mumbai: India’s gaming landscape is undergoing transformative growth, expected to reach an estimated $7.5 billion by 2028, according to the State of India Gaming Report FY23. As the gaming fever continues to engage audiences, various startups are emerging as major players, introducing innovative concepts and experiences to the vibrant gaming community. As we approach National Startups Day on January 16th, let’s explore the top gaming startups reshaping the industry.

Hitwicket Superstars-

Hitwicket has redefined the cricket gaming experience, allowing users to play cricket as a team owner, coach and player. With engaging gameplay and a global user base, Hitwicket is making waves as the best-rated mobile cricket game in the gaming sphere.

Paytm First Games-

As an integral part of the Paytm ecosystem, Paytm First Games offers various gaming options, including fantasy sports, card games, and more. The platform has garnered widespread popularity for its seamless integration with the Paytm app and its easy-to-play yet fun games.

Loco Games-

Loco Games has carved its niche in the gaming industry with a focus on creating interactive and engaging live game shows. Users can participate in real-time quizzes and challenges, adding an exciting social element to gaming, making it one of the most compelling gaming startups.

Dream11-

Dream11 has revolutionised fantasy sports gaming in India, providing users with a platform to create their teams for various sports such as cricket, football, hockey and many more. The startup has gained immense popularity and has become synonymous with fantasy sports in the country.

Jet Synthesys-

Jet Synthesys as a key player in the gaming sector has offered cutting-edge solutions in game development and technology. Known for its innovation, Jet Synthesys brings a diverse portfolio of games such as Sachin Saga Cricket Champions, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan to the market, indulging gaming audiences worldwide.

January 9, 2024
SPNI renews exclusive UFC broadcast rights in Indian subcontinent

Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), the leading sports broadcaster in the Indian subcontinent, has announced the extension of the exclusive broadcast rights for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for five years. The terms of the agreement include exclusive television and digital media rights for a wide range of UFC events through 2028.

The premier promotion for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) worldwide, UFC caters to a massive global audience. UFC is renowned for its top-class fights along with talented fighters and is a dream platform for fighters across the world to showcase their MMA skills. UFC features many of the world’s greatest fighters, including Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev, Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Alexander Volkanovski. Some of the best up-and-coming fighters in UFC are coming out of Eurasia, which has a rapidly expanding fan base for the sport. And with the UFC roster inclusion of Anshul Jubli, the first fighter from India to receive win a UFC contract via winning the tournament for Asia’s best MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC, and Puja Tomar, the first India-born female fighter, the timing could not have been better to make headway in the Indian subcontinent.

Effective 1 January 2024, the agreement solidifies SPNI’s commitment to delivering premium UFC content to fans across the region on Sony Sports Network and SonyLiv. The comprehensive rights package includes exclusive coverage of 42 UFC LIVE events, encompassing 12 pay-per-view (PPV) and 30 fight night events each year featuring both Main Card and Preliminary bouts, along with additional content that includes UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, a variety of archive content, and Dana White’s Contender Series, a 10-episode live fight series which features up-and-coming talent trying to secure a contract with UFC .

In addition to live events, Sony Sports Network will continue to broadcast live in Asia prime time the ground-breaking “win and advance” tournament for Asia’s top MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC. Sony Sports Network will also have access to archive content that will further enable them to engage audiences with the rich history of the sport.

Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & International business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul,

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with UFC for five more years. Sony Sports Network is the go-to destination for MMA fans in the Indian subcontinent. We have also seen the inclusion of ‘The King of Lions’ aka Anshul Jubli along with Puja Tomar in 2023 has raised interest for UFC in India. Our partnership extension with UFC allows us to continue the exclusive coverage of live UFC events in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu along with an expansive portfolio programming to engage our viewers.”

UFC SVP and head of Asia Kevin Chang, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network, which will remain the home for UFC in India. Sony Sports Network has been a valuable and trusted partner, helping to expand the UFC brand in many ways, from their ‘Ultimate Guide to UFC’ show, to their media and social promotions. We’re excited to extend our partnership and ushering in the next generation of Indian talent.”

Watch the LIVE coverage of UFC on Sony Sports Ten 1 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels.

Sony Sports Network is the premier destination for all the thrilling live action from UFC.

January 9, 2024
SRK, Mani Ratnam among prominents to be at ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards

Mumbai: CNN-News18, India’s one of the leading English news channels unveils the highly anticipated ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards, an upcoming spectacle, on 10 January at New Delhi. Recognised as India’s premier television awards now into its 13 edition, the ceremony vows to honour excellence, spotlighting Indians who have conquered the world across various domains. This year, the awards evening will witness the presence of the ‘King of Bollywood’, actor Shah Rukh Khan, renowned filmmaker Mani Ratman, among others.

Set to honour luminaries in the categories of business, sports, entertainment, youth icon, rising sports star, social change, and climate warrior, the ‘Indian of the Year’ awards stand as a beacon of recognition for those shaping India’s narrative. A ground-breaking feature of this year’s event is the distinctive blend of expert judgment and public voting, where 50 per cent of the decision-making power lies with the discerning audience, and the remaining 50 per cent entrusted to a distinguished panel of judges.

The esteemed panel of jurors comprises iconic figures, including former solicitor general of India Harish Salve, screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Retd Supreme Court Judge Indu Malhotra, former Indian athlete and vice-president of Athletics Federation of India Anju Bobby George, chairperson of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Sanjiv Goenka, and environmental activist and lawyer, Afroz Shah. Their collective wisdom ensures a judicious selection of the most deserving awardees.

The event’s significance is magnified by the calibre of nominees for ‘Indian of the Year 2023.’ sports stars such as Neeraj Chopra, Shubman Gill; rising sports stars such as R Praggnanandhaa, Shafali Verma; business tycoons such as Dinesh Kumar Khara, entertainment stars such as Deepika Padukone, Mani Ratnam; environmental champions like Arun Krishnamurthy, and social change catalysts such as Dr R Ravi Kannan, Menaka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju, reflect the diverse tapestry of India’s excellence.

With a legacy that includes past winners such as Narendra Modi, Neeraj Chopra, and Virat Kohli, the ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards have solidified their standing as the epitome of distinction in news television. The 13 edition promises to be a witness to the grandeur and credibility that the event has acquired over the years.

CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “CNN-News18 Indian of the Year award 2023 is a momentous occasion to celebrate the legacy we have built over the years. This prestigious event, with its rich history, has consistently paid homage to exceptional individuals whose contributions have not only shaped the nation but have also resonated on the global stage. The distinguished personalities who participate in this celebration of merit have, year after year, elevated the standards of this platform, cementing its status as one of the most esteemed awards in the industry.”

Network18 CEO – English and business news cluster Smriti Mehra said, “As we mark the journey from its inception to the 13 edition, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year awards stand tall as the epitome of excellence in the field of news television. We extend our heartfelt best wishes to the esteemed nominees, who, through their remarkable global contributions, have become the driving force behind the nation’s narrative. It’s a flagship celebration that not only enhances the prestige of our news channel but also creates unparalleled value for the brands that choose to partner with us.”

CNN-News18 Indian of the Year has RPSG Group as the presenting partner, Chola MS Insurance and Reliance as the associate sponsors, and Amrita University as the education partner.

Tune in to CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 LIVE on 10 January 2024, 6pm onwards, only on CNN-News18

January 9, 2024
LALIGA organises ‘LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our Fútbol’

Mumbai: LALIGA, as part of its agreement with Globe Soccer, organises the “LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our Fútbol,” which consists of five monthly awards recognising the best goal, best player, best coach, best play and best U23 player, while recognition will also be given to the Team of the Season and the top player in terms of their social contribution.

To decide these prizes, the opinions of an expert committee are combined with the views from fans, who can vote for each month’s winners on the website titled: Feel the power of our Fútbol | LALIGA.

Girona FC’s Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk named Best Player.

High-flying Girona FC continue to be the surprise package of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season, sitting level on points with leaders Real Madrid after 19 matches and racking up three wins and a draw from four matches throughout December. One man who has played a fundamental role in this continued streak is Artem Dovbyk, whose four goals in those four games – including one in his side’s historic and unprecedented 4-2 win away at local rivals and reigning champions FC Barcelona – have led him to be named Best Player for December.

So impressive have Girona FC’s performances been this past month that Dovbyk’s teammate Yan Couto takes home the Best U23 Player award. The Brazilian has been almost ever-present for the Catalans this season, and this month contributed three assists including one for club stalwart and all-time leading scorer Cristhian Stuani in his side’s dramatic 2-1 win over Valencia CF at Montilivi.

Elsewhere, Athletic Club’s continued form sees Ernesto Valverde recognized as Best Coach. Los Leones sit in fifth place, just three points off a Champions League spot, with Valverde, now in his third spell in charge at San Mamés, masterminding three wins from four matches across December, including a convincing 2-0 win over title-challengers Atlético de Madrid. Athletic Club stars Nico Williams and Iñigo Lekue also take home the Best Play of the month award for their link-up play in that very same match, a move which began on the right flank and ended with a sensational strike from Nico into Jan Oblak’s top right corner from the most unlikely of angles.

Finally, the Best Goal award goes to Real Betis wide man Aitor Ruibal – who has played mostly as a right-back this season – for his remarkable long-range strike against LALIGA EA SPORTS leaders Real Madrid. The goal secured a point for Los Verdiblancos and kept Manuel Pellegrini’s men well and truly in the hunt for a European spot.

January 9, 2024
Shridhar Mishra appointed as News18 (Digital) CRO

Mumbai: Shridhar Mishra has been onboarded as the CRO for News18 (Digital). Shridhar has joined from Zee Media Corp Ltd where he served as chief revenue officer- digital. He has also worked in a sales leadership role with Jagran New Media and the Asianet News Network.

At Network18, Shridhar will lead all digital revenue initiatives for News18. He will drive aggressive growth for the direct and indirect inventory sales. He will be based out of our Noida/Gurgaon office and the existing direct, indirect sales and ad operation teams of News18 digital will align with him.

Shridhar is from Uttarakhand. He lives in Delhi with his wife Pallavi and sons Shriaansh and Arnav. He is a professional table tennis player and loves travelling and meditation.

January 8, 2024
Sony likely to call off merger – a low probability event for now

Mumbai: According to media reports, Sony is expected to call of USD 10bn merger with Zee due to a standoff over whether Zee’s CEO Punit Goenka would lead the merged entity.

Sony plans to file the termination notice before a 20 Jan 2024, extended deadline for closing the deal, saying some of the conditions necessary for the merger had not been met.

Discussions are still ongoing between the two sides and a resolution can still emerge before the deadline.

View

We don’t foresee any negative impact of above so far. As per our checks, deal conversations continue and will most likely go ahead without Goenka as CEO; we expect a final clarity on the extension of the deal by third of week of January’24, which is almost a month ahead of the 20 Dec’2023 agreement cut off date. Conversations continue to happen for both parties, however no final outcome has been reached yet on terms of the deal.

We continue to believe that the deal is equally important for both entities with competitive intensity growing due to Disney/RIL talks gaining traction.

Maintain our view the likelihood of the deal going through remains high, Zee had made a statement on 20 Dec, 2023 on entering fair negotiations with Sony, which indicates that they too are very much in favour of the deal going through.

We will await more updates and any official statement from both parties, in case of change in stance. We don’t foresee Sony agreeing on Mr Punit becoming CEO, due to the ongoing investigation against him. However, there is a very small chance of Goenka putting the deal at risk due to him wanting to become CEO, even if term sheet and deal condition mentions that Zee has moved up 50 per cent over the last one year, despite a muted financial performance , largely on the back of valuation multiple re-rating due to the merger with Sony Corp; any potential risk of the merger getting called off by Sony will have a significant negative impact on valuations.

Post the change in deal terms/ potential name of a new CEO for the merged Co, shareholder, Board, ROC (Registrar of Companies) and MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) approval may be needed which may only take a few weeks; our legal experts indicate that a fresh NCLT/CCI approval will not be needed for change in CEO of the merged co; further, as per our assessment – the NCLT/CCI approval isn’t time bound, which means any potential extension has no negative impact on the merger.

The credit of this article is attributed to Elara Capital SVP Karan Taurani.

January 8, 2024

BAI-REC partnership provides international exposure to 28 Indian shuttlers

Mumbai: The Badminton Association of India (BAI), with support from REC, will fund the country’s 28 talented shuttlers for international tournaments to help them improve rankings and also provide much-needed foreign exposure, required to play in top-level international badminton tournaments.

The players ranked between 26 and 75 in the BWF world rankings along with top performers from the recent senior national championships, who are not part of the national camp but have already shown signs of brilliance, like reigning Abu Dhabi Masters champion Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma, the silver medallist at the 2023 Badminton Asia U-17 Junior Championships, are among the 28 players across singles and doubles category who have been chosen based on their performances across multiple tournaments. These players will be fully funded for the tournaments.

“Badminton Association of India is committed to ensure promising talents get much-needed support to showcase their potential as the national campers even if they are not part of the national camp. Our partnership with REC will not only help us broad base these opportunities and give shuttlers more and more opportunities to participate in multiple international challenger events as well as Super 300s and thereby better their rankings as well as gain experience of playing against foreign players. This initiative aligns with our goals to create strong opportunities for more players to show their abilities as well as compete and benefit from the national badminton structure,” said BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra.

This opportunity has also been extended to the current senior national singles champions Chirag Sen and Anmol Kharb as well as runners-up Tharun Mannepalli and 15-year-old Tanvi Sharma – one of the youngest finalists in history. The doubles national champions Suraj Goala and Pruthvi Roy, and Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra have also been included.

The selected players have been given the option to choose three tournaments, including two Super 300 events — the Orleans Masters and Swiss Open – from a total of eight tournaments, for which BAI will extend complete financial support to each of the shuttlers.

Full list of players:

Men’s singles:

1. Sathish Kumar Karunakaran (World Rank 51)

2. S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian (WR 71)

3. Sameer Verma (WR 74)

4. Chirag Sen (Senior Nationals champion)

5. Tharun Mannepalli (Senior Nationals runner-up)

Women’s Singles:

1.Aakarshi Kashyap (WR 40)

2.Malvika Bansod (WR 52)

3.Unnati Hooda (WR 56)

4. Tanya Hemanth (WR 69)

5.Tasnim Mir (WR 73)

6.Imad Farooqui Samiya (WR 74)

7.Anmol Kharb (Senior National Champion)

8.Tanvi Sharma (Senior National runner-up)

Men’s Doubles:

1.Hariharan Amsakarunan/Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi (WR 70)

2.P.S Ravikrishna/Sankar Prasad Udayakunar (WR 75)

3.Suraj Goala/Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy (Senior Nationals champions)

Women’s Doubles:

1. Ashwini Bhat K/Shikha Gautam (WR 49)

2.Rutaparna Panda/Swetaparna Panda (WR 52)

3.Simran Singh/Ritika Thaker (WR 63)

4.Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra (Senior National champions)

Mixed Doubles:

1. Sathish Kumar Karunakaran/Aadya Variyath (WR 64)

LIST OF TOURNAMENTS

SR NO	TOURNAMENT NAME	DATE	VENUE
1	LI NING SRI LANKA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2024	FEB 5-11, 2024	GALLE, SRI LANKA
2	AZERBAIJAN INTERNATIONAL 2024	FEB 8-11, 2024	BAKU, AZERBAIJAN
3	LI NING SRI LANKA INTERNATIONAL SERIES,2024	DEB 12-18, 2024	GALLE, SRI LANKA
4	59TH PORTUGAL INTERNATIONAL SERIES	MARCH 6-10, 2024	CALDAS da RAINHA, PORTUGAL
5	ORLEANS MASTERS 2024- SUPER 300	MARCH 12-17, 2024	ORLEANS, FRANCE
6	CIPUTRA HANOI – YONEX SUNRISE VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2024	MARCH 12-17, 2024	HANOI, VIETNAM
7	DUTCH INTERNATIONAL SERIES	MARCH 14-14, 2024	WATERINGEN, NETHERLANDS
8	SWISS OPEN-SUPER 300	MARCH 19-24,2024	BASEL, SWITZERLAND

January 8, 2024