ITV

Category: GECs

  • NTO 2.0: Zeel announces new a-la-carte channel and bouquet pricing

    NTO 2.0: Zeel announces new a-la-carte channel and bouquet pricing

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has released its new a-la-carte channel and bouquet pricing in line with the Bombay high court order dated 30 June 2021 with regard to new tariff order (NTO) 2.0.

    “The said pricing is being released without prejudice to Zeel’s rights and contentions under all petitions pending adjudication before the Supreme Court w.r.t. new tariff order (NTO) 2.0,” said a Zeel spokesperson.

    The new channel rate card will be effective from 1 December.

    According to the channel rate card, Zeel standard definition channels including Hindi GEC Zee TV, Marathi GEC Zee Marathi, Bengali GEC Zee Bangla, Odia GEC Zee Sarthak, Telugu GEC Zee Telugu, Kannada GEC Zee Kannada have been priced greater than Rs 12.

    Among its high-definition channels, Zee TV HD, Zee Marathi HD, Zee Bangla HD, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Cinemalu HD, and Zee Kannada HD also have an MRP greater than Rs 12.

    As per new tariff regime 2.0 order, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated that a channel’s MRP must not exceed Rs 12 for it to be included in any bouquet. The aforementioned channels will not be part of any of Zeel’s 26 bouquets.

    “We are confident that post implementation of NTO 2.0, Zee channels will continue their growth momentum across markets and create higher value for the company,” said Zeel president – business for South Asia Rahul Johri.

    “The new pricing regime in 2019 brought in a major shift in the way television was consumed in India,” said Zeel chief revenue officer – affiliate sales Atul Das. “On one hand, it brought in transparency about MRP of channels, while on the other hand it offered freedom to consumers to select channels they wish to watch. With NTO 2.0, consumers will get even more flexibility in the selection of channels.”

    “We will continue to provide multiple bouquets to consumers across the country at different price points. Premium English channels like Zee Café and &flix will continue to be available in a separate bouquet. Each bouquet constitutes a mix of channels, including GEC, movies, news, music and lifestyle genres. We look forward to working with our Distribution Platform Operators (DPO) partners for a smooth transition,” he added.

     

  • ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ returns with new season on Zee TV

    ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ returns with new season on Zee TV

    Mumbai: Following the success of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs” last year, Zee TV has announced the return of its longest-running singing reality show, “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa,” starting 16 October, every Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m.

    The upcoming season of the show will see Shankar Mahadevan, Himesh Reshammiya, and Vishal Dadlani come together as judges. “As we kick-off ‘Music Ka Sabse Bada Tyohaar’ during the festive season, I am sure we will have double the fun. It’s all the more exciting to be judging this season alongside Vishal and Himesh and I‘m hoping to have a marvellous time judging the show with the two of them,” shared Mahadevan.

    Singer-anchor Aditya Narayan will be seen turning host for the upcoming season, returning to the show after his last stint in 2018. “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has always held a special place in my heart as I started my hosting career with this show, and I feel really honoured to be associated with it. It marked the beginning of my career, and it continues to do so for numerous budding singers across India,” commented Narayan.

    “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” announced its auditions for the season three months ago with the show’s in-house creative team and production houses – Zee Studios and The Content Team evaluating fresh talent day in, day out to pick only the most promising voices with true potential, said the channel in a statement.

    “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, our deeply cherished singing reality platform has stayed relevant to music lovers of today and continues to carry forth a legacy we are collectively proud of as a nation, simply because of its golden standards of excellence in singing calibre,” said Zee TV business head Aparna Bhosle. “As we enter the festive season, we are keen to present the latest season as the biggest celebration of music ever. We hope to discover some rare gems and hone them to perfection while entertaining our audiences every weekend!”    

    The platform that has been instrumental in discovering some of the most prominent singing stars of the music fraternity over the past 25 years including the likes of Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, Kamal Khan, Amanat Ali, Raja Hassan, Sanjeevani, and Bela Shende is back on television.

    “Although I have been a part of several seasons of this reality show, each season has left me surprised with the kind of talent that appears on stage,” stated Himesh Reshammiya. “They are not just adept in the field of music but have their own style and aura of presenting songs, which all the more makes each season worthwhile to watch. Even after all these years, I am quite thrilled to be a part of the judge’s panel because I truly believe that it is going to be a real treat to watch these raw talents perform.”

    “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and I go back a long way and it truly feels wonderful to return to the show after a while. What makes this season more exciting is the celebration of music that we are kickstarting as well as the chance of sharing the judge’s panel with some of the finest names in the industry,” said Vishal Dadlani. “I have a great equation with both Himesh and Shankar and whenever we have worked together, we have had a lot of fun through our music. I look forward to shaping the future of this season’s contestants.”

  • SPNI publishes new RIO effective from 1 December

    SPNI publishes new RIO effective from 1 December

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has published its new reference interconnection offer (RIO) issued under telecommunications (broadcasting and cable) services interconnection (addressable systems) regulations, 2017 for all distribution platforms.

    The RIO is subject to the final outcome of the special leave petition filed by the company before the Supreme Court. The new channel rate card will be effective from 1 December.

    According to the rate card, SPNI channels including Hindi GECs Sony Sab, SET, English sports channels Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2, and HD channels SET HD, Hindi movie channel Max HD, Sab HD, sports channels Ten 1 HD, Ten 2 HD, Ten 3 HD, Six HD, and Telugu and Tamil sports channel Ten 4 HD have an MRP greater than Rs 12.

    As per the new tariff regime 2.0 order, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated that a channel’s MRP must not exceed Rs 12 for it to be included in any bouquet. The aforementioned channels will not be part of any of the 12 bouquets offered by SPNI.

    The implementation of the new tariff order 2.0 has been halted as broadcasters under the aegis of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) have challenged the Trai order in the Supreme Court. The final hearing on the matter is scheduled for 30 November.

  • Disney Star India pulls 13 SD and 20 HD channels from bouquets

    Disney Star India pulls 13 SD and 20 HD channels from bouquets

    Mumbai: Disney and Star India network has published the new MRP of its channels as per the Tariff Order 2017 as amended and Interconnection Regulation 2017, as amended.

    As per the new rate card, the standard definition channels Star Plus, Star Jalsha, Maa TV, Asianet, Star Sports 1, Star Sports Select 1, Star Pravah, Vijay, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Kannada, Star Sports 1 Telugu, and Star Survarna are priced more than MRP of Rs 12 which is the condition to be included in a bouquet.

    Similarly, its HD channels Star Plus HD, Star Gold HD, Star Jalsha HD, Jalsha Movies HD, Vijay HD, Star Suvarna HD, Asianet HD, Star Movies HD, Disney International HD, Disney International HD, Star Sports HD1, Star Sports 1 HD Hindi, Star Sports Select HD1, Star Sports 1 Tamil HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu HD, Maa HD, Maa Movies HD, Star Pravah HD, Star Kirano HD, and Asianet Movies HD will not be part of any bouquet.

    These channels will not be part of the 32 bouquets offered by the broadcaster under Star Value Pack (SVP) and Star Premium Pack (SPP).

    Additionally, the broadcaster plans to launch several new SD and HD channels between 1 December 2021 and 24 January 2022. These channels include Hindi movie channel Star Gold Thrills, Bengali movie channel Jalsha Josh, Marathi movie channel Pravah Pictures, Odia GEC Star Kirano, English movie channel Star Movies Select, Hindi movie channel Star Gold 2 HD, sports channels Star Sports 1 Tamil HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu HD, kids channel Disney Channel HD, Odia GEC Star Kirano HD, Marathi movie channel Pravah Pictures HD, Tamil GEC Vijay Super HD, Malayalam movie channel Asianet Movies HD and kids channel Hungama HD.

    Marvel HQ will be renamed to Super Hungama effective from 1 December.

    For more details: https://www.startv.com/media/3915/rate-card.pdf 

  • ‘Will safeguard Zee and its future’: Punit Goenka on Zeel-Invesco tussle

    ‘Will safeguard Zee and its future’: Punit Goenka on Zeel-Invesco tussle

    Mumbai: In a new development, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) managing director and chief executive officer has publicly spoken regarding the company’s ongoing boardroom battle with its investor, Invesco Developing Markets Fund.

    “We will ensure that no one maligns the intrinsic value of this company for their own benefit, and I continue to pursue this in the best interest of all our shareholders and at immense personal costs,” stated Goenka.

    Referring to the merger proposal with media business under Reliance Industries in February-March, he wrote that the reason for disclosing the series of communications exchanged between Invesco and the board of directors of Zeel was “to bring the truth out in the interest of all our stakeholders.”

    According to Goenka, the valuation attributed to the media entities under Reliance was inflated by Rs 10,000 crore and as a result, felt that the deal would result in a loss for shareholders of the company.  

    “My attention was on the imbalance observed in the valuation and how it was not in the best interest of our shareholders. The only reason I did not agree to the proposal was that the shareholder value was getting compromised,” he added.

    Goenka acknowledged the stance taken by Invesco but noted that “communications pertaining to such proposals are always well-documented, and they speak to the contrary.”

    On a personal note, he questioned Invesco’s intentions on the basis of their actions and asked pertinent questions, “Why didn’t Invesco make its plans public earlier? Does good corporate governance only apply to corporates and not their institutional investors?”

    He affirmed his faith in the Indian judicial and regulatory system and said that under the guidance of his legal counsel he would take the “required steps to safeguard Zee and its future.”

    The Zeel-Invesco tussle began when the media company’s two top investors Invesco Developing Markets Fund and OFI Global China Fund LLC who combined own 18 per cent stake in the company had sent a requisition notice to the company on 11 September to call an EGM even after two weeks, the investors moved to NCLT, citing provisions of company law, according to which the company is bound to call for an EGM within a specific number of days if stakeholder demanding it owns more than 10 per cent of the company.

    The investors had also sought the removal of long-standing directors and close associates of the Chandra family from the board. The two independent directors Ashok Kurien and Manish Chokhani have already submitted their resignations. 

    The investors moved to have six nominees appointed to the board of Zeel, which included Surendra Singh Sirohi, Naina Krishna Murthy, Rohan Dhamija, Aruna Sharma, Srinivasa Rao Addepali, and Gaurav Mehta as independent directors of the board for a term up to five consecutive years. The notice was received by Zeel on 12 September, and it informed the stock exchanges on 13 September, adding that the appointments are subject to approval by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB).

    Zeel refused to conduct the EGM citing ‘shareholders interest,’ and moved to Bombay high court on 2 October seeking to declare the requisition notice as “illegal and invalid.” Meanwhile, Invesco moved a requisition petition with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to call for an EGM.

    The next Bombay high court hearing is scheduled for 21 October and the next NCLT hearing is scheduled for 22 October.

  • Reliance had courted Zeel for media business transaction, says Invesco

    Reliance had courted Zeel for media business transaction, says Invesco

    Mumbai: Invesco Developing Markets Fund on Wednesday stated that Reliance Industries had made an offer to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) to merge its media business, a deal which was struck down by Zeel’s managing director and chief executive officer Punit Goenka at the beginning of the year.

    According to a statement by the investor, “the potential transaction proposed by Reliance (the ‘Strategic Group’ referenced but not disclosed in the 12 October communication by Zeel) was negotiated by and between Reliance and Goenka and others associated with Zeel’s promoter family. The role of Invesco, as Zeel’s single largest shareholder, was to help facilitate that potential transaction and nothing more.”

    Invesco rejected Zeel’s assertion in the 12 October release that the former would seek out a transaction for Zeel that is dilutive to the long-term interests of ordinary shareholders, including Invesco itself, saying that it “simply defies logic.”

    A filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange on Tuesday showed that Goenka shared a note with Zeel’s board that detailed a proposed transaction under which the company’s current shareholders would have held 40 per cent while an unnamed (Strategic Group) Indian group, would have controlled 60 per cent after infusing Rs 14,000 crore cash in the merged entity.

    Goenka disclosed that as part of the Reliance deal, he would have continued as the managing director and chief executive officer of the merged entity and the promoter group of Zeel would be given 3.99 per cent shareholding of the merged entity. Goenka was also offered employee stock options (ESOPs) representing up to four per cent of the shareholding of the merged entity meaning that the promoter group would hold up to seven to eight per cent stake in the merged entity. 

  • NCLAT reserves orders on Zeel’s appeal

    NCLAT reserves orders on Zeel’s appeal

    Mumbai: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday reserved orders on an appeal moved by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel). The company had challenged the 5 October order by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on the matter of requisition for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The requisition notice was moved by top investors at Zeel including Invesco Developing Markets Fund and OFI Global China Fund IIC. 

    Meanwhile, the NCLT which was slated to take up the application for an EGM on Thursday at 2:30 p.m, has decided to adjourn the hearing until 2:30 p.m on Friday after hearing that NCLAT had reserved its order.

    On 5 October, the NCLT had given Zeel two days to file its counter-affidavit to the applications before it. The bench had declined to give more time to file this response opining that it was a simple matter that did not need weeks for a reply to be filed. This order was challenged by Zeel before the NCLAT.

    The NCLAT bench has informed that the order on Zeel’s appeal would be pronounced and issued later on Thursday. The bench said that they would not be deciding the case on merits, but would peruse all NCLT orders passed in the matter to take a call on Zeel’s appeal, according to a report by Bar and Bench.

    Counsel for Zeel argued that the case before NCLT was only at an interim stage and was converted into a final hearing without giving the company suitable time to respond. Counsel for Invesco argued that there was no distinction between interim relief and final relief in the present case and that “the appeal should be rejected at all costs as it is an abuse of process of court,” according to Bar and Bench.

    Zeel’s boardroom tussle began on 11 September, when the company’s top two investors – Invesco and OFI China Fund IIC which together hold an 18 per cent stake in the media company, sent it a requisition notice calling for an EGM of shareholders. The investors sought the removal of Zee’s sitting managing director Punit Goenka and two independent directors Ashok Kurien and Manish Chokhani. The two independent directors had submitted their resignations a day prior. The investors had also sought the appointment of their own six nominees on the board of Zeel.

    Zeel had challenged the requisition notice stating that it is “invalid and illegal” and had moved to the NCLAT for a hearing.

  • Zeel-Invesco Tussle: After Bombay HC, Zeel now approaches NCLAT

    Zeel-Invesco Tussle: After Bombay HC, Zeel now approaches NCLAT

    New Delhi: Media and entertainment giant Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has now approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the order passed by National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Tuesday. The Tribunal had asked the Company to submit its response to the investors demand for calling an extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

    “The Company has moved to National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in accordance with the due process available under the law,” said ZEEL spokesperson.  The next hearing in the NCLT is on Thursday.

    The development comes few days after Zeel filed a petition in the Bombay high court seeking to declare the requisition notice sent by Invesco Developing Markets Fund and OFI Global China Fund LLC as “invalid”. “The Company continues to have full faith in the Indian judicial system and will take all the necessary steps that are in the best interests of all its shareholders,” the statement added.

    The Zeel boardroom tussle began on 11 September, when the Company’s top two investors- Invesco and OFI Global China Fund IIC which together hold an 18 per cent stake in the media company sent it a requisition notice calling for an EGM of the shareholders. The investors have sought the removal of Zeel’s sitting MD Punit Goenka, and long-standing directors and close associates of the Chandra family from the Board. The two independent directors Ashok Kurien and Manish Chokhani had submitted their resignations a day prior. Meanwhile, the

    The investors had also sought the appointment of their own six nominees on the board of Zeel, which included Surendra Singh Sirohi, Naina Krishna Murthy, Rohan Dhamija, Aruna Sharma, Srinivasa Rao Addepalli, Gaurav Mehta as independent directors on the board for a term of up to five consecutive years. The notice was received by Zeel on 12 September, and it informed the stock exchanges on 13 September, adding that the appointments are subject to the approval of the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B).

    However, Zeel refused to conduct the extraordinary general meeting (EGM), stating that the requisition notice was “illegal and invalid”. The Company further maintained that it will continue to take all the actions needed in the interest of the shareholders as per law. “The Board has arrived at this decision by referring to various non-compliances under multiple laws, including the Securities and Exchange Board of India guidelines, ministry of information and broadcasting guidelines, and key clauses under the Companies Act, and Competition Act, and after taking into account the interest of all the stakeholders of the company,” Zeel had said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, on September 22, ZEEL also announced its proposed merger with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) which will create the country’s largest media company. The merged entity, in which SPNI’s parent company SPNI would infuse $1.575 billion, will be a public listed company in India. Punit Goenka was announced as the CEO and managing director of the new entity, with the promoter family being free to increase its holding from four per cent to 20 per cent over time. 

  • Zeel-Invesco Tussle: Mandatory for Zeel to call an EGM, Invesco tells NCLT

    Zeel-Invesco Tussle: Mandatory for Zeel to call an EGM, Invesco tells NCLT

    New Delhi: The Boardroom tussle between Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) and its top investor Invesco Developing Markets Fund shows no signs of slowing down. On Monday, Invesco argued its case before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) urging the media and entertainment company to schedule an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as per law.

    Under relevant sections of the Companies Act, it is a mandatory duty of Zeel to honour the request of EGM if so demanded by shareholders who own more than 10 per cent of stake in the Company, said senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi appearing on behalf of Invesco. “The EGM should be called within 21 days,” he emphasised, as reported by moneycontrol.com

    Rohtagi urged the Tribunal to direct Zeel to convene the EGM under the chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court/high court judge, highlighting that it is not concerned about the outcome of the EGM, but about the EGM being called. “It is for the shareholders to decide on the requisition and not them (ZEE) or anybody else,” he told NCLT.

    Last week, Zeel had convened its inability to convene the meeting to the investors. “The Board comprising of experienced professionals deliberated and discussed various legal and statutory implications of the requisition notice. It also sought the opinions of independent counsel, legal experts including retired SC judges, and evaluated the matter in a fair and transparent manner,” Zeel had said in a statement. The Company has now moved the Bombay high court, seeking court’s intervention in declaring the requisition notice as “illegal and invalid”.

    Invesco and OFI Global China Fund IIC together hold an 18 per cent stake in the media company. The investors had sent a special notice to Zeel on 11 September calling for an EGM of the shareholders seeking removal of its sitting MD Punit Goenka, and long-standing directors and close associates of the Chandra family from the Board. The two independent directors Ashok Kurien and Manish Chokhani had submitted their resignations a day prior.

    The investors had also sought the appointment of their own six nominees on the board of Zeel, which included Surendra Singh Sirohi, Naina Krishna Murthy, Rohan Dhamija, Aruna Sharma, Srinivasa Rao Addepalli, Gaurav Mehta as independent directors on the board for a term of up to five consecutive years. The notice was received by Zeel on 12 September, and it informed the stock exchanges on 13 September, adding that the appointments are subject to the approval of the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B).

    The matter is now listed for hearing on Tuesday.

  • Colors set to bring ‘Bigg Boss 15’ on 2 October

    Colors set to bring ‘Bigg Boss 15’ on 2 October

    Mumbai: Colors, the Hindi general entertainment channel by Viacom18, has announced the return of  “Bigg Boss” for its 15th season starting on 2 October at 9:30 p.m.

    The show has introduced fresh elements and concepts to increase the excitement for the new season and will see the return of Salman Khan as its host. This includes a new jungle-themed “Bigg Boss” house and an animated mascot who will enthrall the digital audience. “Like the past successful seasons, the new season of the show will be even more exciting, as the contestants get ready for a wild ride in the jungle with VishwasunTREE accompanying them in their journey,” said Khan on the new season.

    “We, at Colors, always believe in delivering innovative, engaging, and diverse content to our viewers with our variety of fiction and non-fiction shows,” said Viacom18 head – Hindi mass entertainment and kids TV network Nina Elavia Jaipuria. “In the past few months, we have entertained our audiences with some of our biggest shows like Dance Deewane, Khatron Ke Khiladi and announced our first quiz show – The Big Picture. The momentum will continue in the festive season with the launch of our marquee show Bigg Boss, a show that the nation adores and eagerly looks forward to every year.”

    The channel has planned a robust marketing and digital plan to promote the season. As a part of the marketing campaign on TV, a high-octane promo plan will be carried out across network channels along with innovative print ads in top publications. The digital audience will experience some of the iconic moments from the previous season through memes and reels.

    “With each season of Bigg Boss, we introduce fresh elements and concepts to enhance the excitement and engagement around the show,” said Viacom18 chief content officer of Hindi mass entertainment Manisha Sharma. “This season, we have given a whole new spin to the theme of the show by putting the contestants in a jungle wherein they will be riddled with new challenges and intense moments right from the beginning.”

    “For the first time, the Bigg Boss house will be a jungle wherein the inmates must survive with bare minimum amenities,” said Endemol Shine India chief executive officer Abhishek Rege. “The entire season has been very creatively conceptualised including the design of the jungle that will add a lot of grandeur to the house.”

    Produced by Endemol Shine India, the show has roped in ‘presents’ sponsor TRESemme, ‘powered by’ sponsor Knorr and Dabur Dantrakshak and ‘beauty’ partner Lotus White Glow.

    “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bigg Boss yet again for season 15 as co-sponsors,” said Unilever vice president Harman Dhillon. “TRESemmé promotes the values of independence, self-reliance, and most importantly, the confidence you need to step up and meet the next challenge.”