Category: GECs

ZEEL seeks shareholder nod for Amit Goenka as Asia Today CEO

BENGALURU: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s (ZEEL) has sought shareholder approval for appointing Subhash Chandra’s son Amit Goenka as chief executive officer of international broadcasting business and as a director of Asia Today Limited, Mauritius.

Goenka’s term will be for a period of three years with effect from 1 March, 2016. The shareholder approval has been sought through postal ballot/e-voting.

ZEEL’s international broadcasting business constituted about 17.4 per cent of the company’s consolidated revenue. It comprises content creation, broadcasting and distribution of 37 television channels in overseas territories including five sports channels, which are managed by direct and in-direct overseas subsidiaries of the company. The company said that in order to facilitate clear strategic alignment for accelerating decision making and more focused growth of International Broadcasting Business, the Board had approved consolidation of general entertainment broadcasting channels in various international territories under Asia Today Limited, Mauritius (erstwhile Zee Multimedia (Maurice) Limited) a step-down wholly owned overseas subsidiary of the company.

As was previously reported by Indiantelevision.com, in a bid to provide focused attention on the operations of these channels, the company’s board had, in October 2015, approved in-principle the appointment of Goenka as CEO of International Broadcasting Business and as a director of Asia Today Limited, Mauritius.

According to ZEEL, Goenka will be eligible for annual salary of $540,000 (equivalent to Rs 3.5 crore), with the authority to the board of Asia Today Limited to determine any merit based increase in the salary from time to time as applicable to other executives of the company, provided that the annual salary payable to Goenka during the tenure shall not exceed $700,000.

Voting period will commence on and from 26 January, 2016, at 10 am and end on 24 February, 2016 at 6 pm.

January 25, 2016
ZeeFamily.TV hops on to Roku platform

MUMBAI: Zee Family – the digital entertainment destination, which features channels like Zee TV, Z Living, Living Foods and Zee Cinema along with other special interest, language based channels, is now available on the Roku platform.

Roku subscribers will be able stream ZeeFamily.TV on their devices globally.

Roku customers who download and connect the app to their ZeeFamily.tv profile will have access to over 30 live 24/7 channels, offered in English, Hindi and regional dialects, 30 day catch-up, over 2,000 on-demand movies and over 15,000 individual show episodes.

The ZeeFamily.TV app is available as a free download from the Movies & TV section of the channel store for all Roku users.

“Zee Family is an entertainment destination; the feature rich product gives viewers the ability to rewind and pause live TV, catch-up on favourite shows they might have missed and watch thousands of hours of on demand content. Our goal was to make Zee TV’s extensive library of content available to viewers wherever and whenever they want to watch TV and do so with a unified platform that was easy to navigate and offers unmatched streaming quality,” said Zee Americas CTO Unmesh Khadilkar.

Apart from Roku, ZeeFamily.tv is also accessible online www.zeefamily.tv, tablets, smartphones, Amazon Fire TV and through Samsung SmartTV’s via the Zee Family app.

January 23, 2016
ZeeFamily.TV hops on to Roku platform

MUMBAI: Zee Family – the digital entertainment destination, which features channels like Zee TV, Z Living, Living Foods and Zee Cinema along with other special interest, language based channels, is now available on the Roku platform.

Roku subscribers will be able stream ZeeFamily.TV on their devices globally.

Roku customers who download and connect the app to their ZeeFamily.tv profile will have access to over 30 live 24/7 channels, offered in English, Hindi and regional dialects, 30 day catch-up, over 2,000 on-demand movies and over 15,000 individual show episodes.

The ZeeFamily.TV app is available as a free download from the Movies & TV section of the channel store for all Roku users.

“Zee Family is an entertainment destination; the feature rich product gives viewers the ability to rewind and pause live TV, catch-up on favourite shows they might have missed and watch thousands of hours of on demand content. Our goal was to make Zee TV’s extensive library of content available to viewers wherever and whenever they want to watch TV and do so with a unified platform that was easy to navigate and offers unmatched streaming quality,” said Zee Americas CTO Unmesh Khadilkar.

Apart from Roku, ZeeFamily.tv is also accessible online www.zeefamily.tv, tablets, smartphones, Amazon Fire TV and through Samsung SmartTV’s via the Zee Family app.

January 23, 2016
Colors & Project Equal Rights Music join hands for peace anthem

MUMBAI: On the occasion of India’s 67th Republic Day, Colors in association with Project Equal Rights Music, will spread a message of goodwill and amity with the launch of Kabootar – A Peace Anthem.

The song will be launched on Colors’ digital and social media platforms on 26 January, 2016.

Colors CEO Raj Nayak says, “As a brand, Colors has always showcased the different hues of human emotions, feelings and sentiments. However, as we drive global development to accomplish personal goals and ambitions, peace is something that the world has lost touch with. As a nation, India has always led the fight for global harmony and brotherhood, making the country’s 67th Republic Day the perfect launchpad for ‘Kabootar – A Peace Anthem.’ We are happy to have partnered with Project Equal Rights Music for this initiative and hope that it unites the nation to achieve peace.”

Conceptualised and written by Scarecrow Communications founder director Manish Bhatt and composed by Eddie T Avil, the song uses Kabootar as a metaphor for peace. The video, shot by Riju Samanta, also symbolises the cause and is a nostalgic reminder of the diversity and similarities we share as Indians. The song and the video builds upon the fact that we really don’t care about the minor differences we have, but the one thing we genuinely care about, is to ensure harmony and peace for our coming generations.

Bhatt says, “As French President Francois Hollande is our Chief Guest on this auspicious occasion of Indian Republic Day, via ‘Kabootar’- the song, I would like to convey to everyone on this planet that Not just Paris or Pathankot but the entire world needs peace. And it’s high time we act on it.”

Avil adds, “Music has no boundaries, it works beyond the paradigm of languages and is understood by everyone. So what better way to convey a message that has to cross all borders than music? I dream of a world where everybody is equal, a world without war, poverty and terrorism and it was an honour to have been part of an important world message through music.”

January 23, 2016
Colors & Project Equal Rights Music join hands for peace anthem

MUMBAI: On the occasion of India’s 67th Republic Day, Colors in association with Project Equal Rights Music, will spread a message of goodwill and amity with the launch of Kabootar – A Peace Anthem.

The song will be launched on Colors’ digital and social media platforms on 26 January, 2016.

Colors CEO Raj Nayak says, “As a brand, Colors has always showcased the different hues of human emotions, feelings and sentiments. However, as we drive global development to accomplish personal goals and ambitions, peace is something that the world has lost touch with. As a nation, India has always led the fight for global harmony and brotherhood, making the country’s 67th Republic Day the perfect launchpad for ‘Kabootar – A Peace Anthem.’ We are happy to have partnered with Project Equal Rights Music for this initiative and hope that it unites the nation to achieve peace.”

Conceptualised and written by Scarecrow Communications founder director Manish Bhatt and composed by Eddie T Avil, the song uses Kabootar as a metaphor for peace. The video, shot by Riju Samanta, also symbolises the cause and is a nostalgic reminder of the diversity and similarities we share as Indians. The song and the video builds upon the fact that we really don’t care about the minor differences we have, but the one thing we genuinely care about, is to ensure harmony and peace for our coming generations.

Bhatt says, “As French President Francois Hollande is our Chief Guest on this auspicious occasion of Indian Republic Day, via ‘Kabootar’- the song, I would like to convey to everyone on this planet that Not just Paris or Pathankot but the entire world needs peace. And it’s high time we act on it.”

Avil adds, “Music has no boundaries, it works beyond the paradigm of languages and is understood by everyone. So what better way to convey a message that has to cross all borders than music? I dream of a world where everybody is equal, a world without war, poverty and terrorism and it was an honour to have been part of an important world message through music.”

January 23, 2016
Colors opens ‘Bigg Boss’ Season 10 doors for viewers to participate

MUMBAI: Even as the ninth season of one of the most controversial reality shows on Indian television – Bigg Boss – is waiting to crown its winner this weekend, the next season of the show has opened its doors to the public as contestants in the house for the first time ever.

For nine seasons in a row, Bigg Boss has housed celebrities of all sorts – from the hugely popular ones to the lesser known ones. Now for the first time, in the tenth season, Colors will fulfil aspirations of a few people, who will get an opportunity to taste the life of a Bigg Boss contestant, staying in confinement for over 100 days along with other popular celebrities and have a go at walking away with name, fame and prize money!

Commenting on this game changing proposition, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “Bigg Boss as a show is like a study in human psychology. One can learn so much about human behaviour through the actions of the housemates in a given situation. As we take on this interesting content innovation, we look forward to receiving some interesting entries from our increasing viewer base. We will be scouting for some great contestants in the months to come. You could be a doctor, engineer, lawyer, teacher, preacher, banker, entrepreneur, home-maker, taxi-driver, coolie, from any domain, any socio-economic background, have any caliber, if you think you are an entertainer, then this is the break that you have been looking for.”

He further elaborated, “Every year we receive thousands of emails, SMS-texts, enquiring about ways to enter the show. Finally, the day has arrived. Hope the fans and avid viewers make full use of this opening.”

As the channel gears up for the casting, the call for entries will start now for all enthusiasts. Interested participants can upload their videos at – www.colorstv.com/biggbossentry.

The three-minute video should showcase a trait of the participant that will make them eligible for Bigg Boss. The entries will open on 23 January and will be accepted until 31 May, 2016. The audition and the shortlisting process will start thereafter.

The channel is also planning a promotional blitzkrieg to excite the masses to partake in this. The campaign will include on-air promos, radio promotions and outdoor. The Colors team will go to the length and breadth of the country in search of the most eligible contenders for the show.

Viewers will be able to see the on-air integration of this announcement in Bigg Boss Season 9’s grand finale at 9 pm on Colors.

January 22, 2016
Colors opens ‘Bigg Boss’ Season 10 doors for viewers to participate

MUMBAI: Even as the ninth season of one of the most controversial reality shows on Indian television – Bigg Boss – is waiting to crown its winner this weekend, the next season of the show has opened its doors to the public as contestants in the house for the first time ever.

For nine seasons in a row, Bigg Boss has housed celebrities of all sorts – from the hugely popular ones to the lesser known ones. Now for the first time, in the tenth season, Colors will fulfil aspirations of a few people, who will get an opportunity to taste the life of a Bigg Boss contestant, staying in confinement for over 100 days along with other popular celebrities and have a go at walking away with name, fame and prize money!

Commenting on this game changing proposition, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “Bigg Boss as a show is like a study in human psychology. One can learn so much about human behaviour through the actions of the housemates in a given situation. As we take on this interesting content innovation, we look forward to receiving some interesting entries from our increasing viewer base. We will be scouting for some great contestants in the months to come. You could be a doctor, engineer, lawyer, teacher, preacher, banker, entrepreneur, home-maker, taxi-driver, coolie, from any domain, any socio-economic background, have any caliber, if you think you are an entertainer, then this is the break that you have been looking for.”

He further elaborated, “Every year we receive thousands of emails, SMS-texts, enquiring about ways to enter the show. Finally, the day has arrived. Hope the fans and avid viewers make full use of this opening.”

As the channel gears up for the casting, the call for entries will start now for all enthusiasts. Interested participants can upload their videos at – www.colorstv.com/biggbossentry.

The three-minute video should showcase a trait of the participant that will make them eligible for Bigg Boss. The entries will open on 23 January and will be accepted until 31 May, 2016. The audition and the shortlisting process will start thereafter.

The channel is also planning a promotional blitzkrieg to excite the masses to partake in this. The campaign will include on-air promos, radio promotions and outdoor. The Colors team will go to the length and breadth of the country in search of the most eligible contenders for the show.

Viewers will be able to see the on-air integration of this announcement in Bigg Boss Season 9’s grand finale at 9 pm on Colors.

January 22, 2016
‘Comedy Nights Live’ to replace Kapil’s show on Colors from 31 January

MUMBAI: After grabbing headlines for weeks now and being the talk of the town – amongst viewers and the industry alike – Colors’ flagship comedy show Comedy Nights With Kapil is all set to come alive in a new avatar but sans Kapil Sharma.

Re-christened as Comedy Nights Live, the show will be hosted by actor – comedian Krushna Abhishek and will go on air from 31 January. The show will aired on Sundays at 10 pm.

It may be recalled that Colors’ other comedy show, Comedy Nights Bachao, which is based on the format of roast comedy, also has Abhishek along with other comedians like Bharti Singh etc. The show airs on Saturdays at 10 pm.

While Comedy Nights With Kapil was jointly produced by SOL Production and Kapil Sharma’s K9 Productions, Comedy Nights Live will be produced by Vipul D Shah’s Optimystix Entertainment India.

Colors will air the final episode of Comedy Nights With Kapil on 24 January, which also happens to be the day when the Bigg Boss 9 finale will take place.

“It’s good for Comedy Nights Live as the time band is already established, therefore it will do well. Initially for the first two – three weeks, ad rates for the 10 second slot will be slightly lower by Rs 20,000- 25,000 but if the show performs well, then it might go up,” a senior media planner tells Indiantelevision.com.

While there have been questions raised about how the show will perform without Kapil Sharma, another media observer opines, “It’s a format that the channel has to follow. Let’s give Krushna a chance as he has performed well in his others shows including Comedy Circus. Even Comedy Nights Bachao is performing well.”

Launched on 22 June, 2013, Comedy Nights with Kapil will complete 192 episodes on 24 January. How successfully Krushna fits into Sharma’s big shoes and does justice to the show, only time tell.

January 22, 2016
‘Comedy Nights Live’ to replace Kapil’s show on Colors from 31 January

MUMBAI: After grabbing headlines for weeks now and being the talk of the town – amongst viewers and the industry alike – Colors’ flagship comedy show Comedy Nights With Kapil is all set to come alive in a new avatar but sans Kapil Sharma.

Re-christened as Comedy Nights Live, the show will be hosted by actor – comedian Krushna Abhishek and will go on air from 31 January. The show will aired on Sundays at 10 pm.

It may be recalled that Colors’ other comedy show, Comedy Nights Bachao, which is based on the format of roast comedy, also has Abhishek along with other comedians like Bharti Singh etc. The show airs on Saturdays at 10 pm.

While Comedy Nights With Kapil was jointly produced by SOL Production and Kapil Sharma’s K9 Productions, Comedy Nights Live will be produced by Vipul D Shah’s Optimystix Entertainment India.

Colors will air the final episode of Comedy Nights With Kapil on 24 January, which also happens to be the day when the Bigg Boss 9 finale will take place.

“It’s good for Comedy Nights Live as the time band is already established, therefore it will do well. Initially for the first two – three weeks, ad rates for the 10 second slot will be slightly lower by Rs 20,000- 25,000 but if the show performs well, then it might go up,” a senior media planner tells Indiantelevision.com.

While there have been questions raised about how the show will perform without Kapil Sharma, another media observer opines, “It’s a format that the channel has to follow. Let’s give Krushna a chance as he has performed well in his others shows including Comedy Circus. Even Comedy Nights Bachao is performing well.”

Launched on 22 June, 2013, Comedy Nights with Kapil will complete 192 episodes on 24 January. How successfully Krushna fits into Sharma’s big shoes and does justice to the show, only time tell.

January 22, 2016
Big Magic targets kids with dedicated animation band

MUMBAI: Reliance Broadcast Network Limited’s comedy channel Big Magic is all set to pump in some fresh content by launching a dedicated time band of animated movies and series called ‘Magic Masti Matargashti.’

While the series are handpicked especially for kids, the animation movies will cater to the entire family.

Starting 25 January, the animation series band is aimed at inculcating the right values in kids in a fun and engaging manner. The series will air for one hour in the morning and in the afternoon, every Monday to Friday at 9 am and 4 pm.

Animation movies, which have been airing on the channel for the last few weekends, will be telecast every Saturday and Sunday at 12.30 pm.

Big Magic creative director Bimal Unnikrishnan said, “With the animation band, our aim is to augment our existing content on the channel. After an in-depth research analysis, the results showed us a definite acceptance and liking towards the animation genre. In fact, it is one those key drivers, which connect kids with their parents. We are confident that our audience will embrace the fresh new offering.”

The band will be promoted and marketed across key markets on multiple platforms.

January 22, 2016