ITV

Tag: Raghavendra Hunsur

  • Zee hits a high note with 18.2 percent share and 855m viewers tuned in

    Zee hits a high note with 18.2 percent share and 855m viewers tuned in

    MUMBAI: Zee has struck gold on the small screen and the numbers prove it. The content powerhouse has hit a four-year high in the linear TV landscape, clocking an 18.2 per cent market share and reaching 855 million viewers across 99 per cent of Indian TV households. From metros to remote hamlets, the network has entrenched itself as a fixture in family living rooms.

    The broadcaster’s strategy of weaving culturally rooted storytelling with mass-appeal blockbusters has paid off handsomely. Eight of its channels now reign supreme in their genres from Zee TV’s 15 per cent share in Hindi GECs (its best in three years) to Zee Cinema’s chart-topping premiere of Pushpa 2, the biggest Hindi film debut of FY26. Lifestyle too had its moment, with Zee Zest continuing a three-year winning streak.

    Regional dominance has been equally emphatic. Zee Kannada scored an all-time high 44 per cent share thanks to new launches like Karna, while Zee Tamil surged with Ayali and evergreen favourites like Karthigai Deepam. Zee Telugu notched a staggering 18.1 TVR with Sankranthiki Vasthunam, the biggest Telugu TV premiere in two years. Zee Sarthak maintained its Odia GEC crown for five consecutive years, Zee Talkies led Marathi movies with a 54 per cent category share, and Zee Bangla reclaimed leadership in West Bengal.

    “Eight of our channels leading the pack shows the power of stories crafted with cultural depth but tuned to modern appetites,” said Zee chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur. Zee EVP of network research and planning Rituparna Dasgupta added: “Reaching 855 million people and 99 per cent TV households isn’t just scale, it’s trust. An 18.2 per cent network share cements Zee as a family member in Indian homes.”

    With 50 domestic channels across 11 languages and two new launches, Zee Power (Kannada) and Zee Bangla Sonar, the broadcaster continues to fine-tune its role as both entertainer and cultural mirror, one that India, clearly, can’t switch off.

  • Zee TV heads back to the heartland with Chhoriyan Chali Gaon

    Zee TV heads back to the heartland with Chhoriyan Chali Gaon

    MUMBAI: Zee TV is shaking up its daily primetime with Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, a high-energy, rooted reality format that promises equal parts laughter, drama, and cultural discovery. Premiering 3 August at 9 PM, and airing daily from 9:30 PM, the show is an adaptation of Zee Marathi’s hit format Jau Bai Gavat and is produced by Zee Studios.

    In this social experiment, 11 celebrity contestants leave behind their urban comforts for 60 days of rural living — no gadgets, minimal luxuries, and a crash course in village life. From milking cows to cooking on chulhas, the show blends raw challenges with genuine bonds, under the watchful eye of host Rannvijay Singha.

    The line-up includes Anita Hassanandani, Krishna Shroff, Aishwarya Khare, Sumukhi Suresh, Anjuum Faakih, Rameet Sandhu, Reha Sukheja, Erika Packard, Surabhi Mehra, Samriddhi Mehra and Dolly Javed — each swapping high heels for muddy fields.

    Zee chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur said, “Our original Zee Marathi format Jau Bai Gavat found success for its honest, culturally rooted storytelling that struck an emotional chord with audiences. With Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, we’ve taken that same core; the fun, the emotions, the authenticity and reimagined it for Zee TV’s wider, national audience. This show reflects our belief in going back to the roots and creating stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. It’s a fresh yet familiar narrative that celebrates the village life of India and the spirited women who call it home.”

    Zee TV chief channel officer, Mangesh Kulkarni said, “At Zee TV, we’ve always believed in formats that don’t just entertain, but spark reflection and emotional connection. With Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, we’re bringing a concept that blends the raw charm of rural India with the resilience of today’s urban woman. We’re excited to see how viewers connect with this unique journey of simplicity, struggle, and self-discovery.”

    With its daily slot, Chhoriyan Chali Gaon is set to become a primetime fixture, offering viewers nostalgia, novelty, and a taste of the simple life, one task at a time.

  • Zee Marathi launches ‘Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada’

    Zee Marathi launches ‘Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada’

    Mumbai: Zee Marathi has launched its new cinematic television show, “Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada”, with the ambition to set new standards in Marathi GECs. The premise of the show based on the brother-sister bond is unique and not explored on Marathi television. To capture the authentic beauty and culture of Maharashtra, the show was filmed on location in Satara. The characters’ journeys are depicted on an unprecedented cinematic scale. The show’s unique narrative demanded a campaign of grand proportions, to captivate audiences across Maharashtra. From the initial release of the promotional video on social media, the response was nothing short of phenomenal, sparking excitement and anticipation. The campaign, powered by music, features the “Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada” song, set to become the Marathi brother-sister anthem.

    The launch of the show was befitting its cinematic feel when a larger-than-life 30-feet cutout of the character ‘Surya Dada’ was unveiled in Satara, where the storyline is based. This initiative created buzz and garnered attention at the grand premiere with the press and audience alike. The cutout was unveiled by the main cast of the show, Nitish Chavan, and Disha Pardeshi, along with the show’s producer, Shweta Shinde, in the presence of a live audience.

    The activity was followed by an on-ground premiere of the show for audiences and press alike. The response and the anticipation generated for the content have been heartening. In line with the scale of the campaign, airing a ‘Curtain Raiser’ for a fiction show was an unprecedented first for Marathi television.

    Zee Marathi and Zee Kannada chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur expressed, “‘Our latest project, ‘Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada’, is set to revolutionize the Marathi TV landscape with its innovative storytelling and production quality approach. This serial promises to offer viewers an unparalleled cinematic experience, showcasing a compelling narrative that delves into the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships. With a focus on themes of love, duty, and familial bonds, the show is poised to resonate deeply with audiences. This ambitious venture underscores our dedication to pushing the boundaries of television content and marks a significant milestone in Marathi television. We are proud to bring this groundbreaking project to viewers and look forward to celebrating this new era in Marathi television together.”

    Zee Marathi chief channel officer V.R. Hema shared, “‘Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada’ exemplifies Zee Marathi’s dedication to captivating storytelling and engaging viewing experiences. The show highlights the beautiful yet underexplored relationship between brothers and sisters, bringing to the fore an evocative and inspiring tale of a brother who supports his sister’s aspirations and tackles the societal conditioning that inhibits them. The premiere event in Satara was a tremendous success, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd in full support of their beloved character, Surya Dada. The energy and excitement at the event underlined the show’s growing anticipation and set the stage for a remarkable television experience.”

  • Why ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a hit with audience and advertisers?

    Why ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a hit with audience and advertisers?

    Mumbai: ZEE Kannada, the number one Kannada entertainment channel in the country seems to be getting it all right with its content and business strategy in recent times. The channel, which crossed  the significant milestone of completing 250 weeks of leadership in the Karnataka market continues to enjoy the acceptance and loyalty of its audience and advertisers alike.

    Known for its relentless efforts to craft the best fiction and grand non-fiction shows, all of the channel’s newest launches like Amruthadhaare, Seetha Rama and Bharjari Bachelors have gone on to become slot leaders and propelling the leader channel to increase the gap between them and competition. Its newest launch Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Season 20 has already got the audience rooting for their favourite singers.

    For the uninitiated, ZEE’s flagship show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has been the longest-running reality show on ZEE Kannada completing 19 seasons, successfully establishing itself as one of the best singing platforms the country has witnessed. With the new season, the channel for the first time has opened the platform to singing talents from across the globe and has already launched to become the number one Kannada Reality Show.

    Prior to the launch, the ZEE Kannada team spent an entire month searching for the best singers in the age group of 14 and 60 years across the state and the country, and among Kannadiga NRIs between the age group was six to 60 years. Twenty precious and talented candidates were hand-picked from the record-breaking number of passionate contenders who attended the mega auditions, and they are now ready to cast a spell on the audience this season.

    The show boasts of a stellar judges panel comprising of iconic composer Naadabramha Hamsalekha as the Mahaguru along with singer Vijay Prakash and composer Arjun Janya with Ansuhree taking on the anchoring duties.

    Talking about the show’s legacy and the love of the audience ZEE Kannada & ZEE Marathi chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur said “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is our channel’s pride, and it has experienced substantial growth in its following over the years. What sets us apart is the fact that we have retained the soul of music as an art within the show and our judges panel plays a big role in it which the audience love. The show is rooted in its values while being presented with unmatchable grandeur.  This season going global is in line with our commitment to offer something new in each of our shows which I’m sure will add to the excitement of the audience.”

    What makes the show a big hit among the advertisers?  

    According to ZEEL chief growth officer Ashish Sehgal, “ZEE Network’s reality shows have a unique ability to captivate the diverse audiences in every market that they are launched, due to our profound expertise in creating content based on the cultural understanding. Leading the pack is the pioneer of music reality shows in India, ZEE’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – an iconic brand and one of the most successful reality shows of India for more than two decades. The story is similar for our top channel from South, where ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has delivered blockbuster content for 19 seasons, discovered unique talents and created the singing stars of the future. With the launch of the 20th season this month, we have kept the promise of adding more depth and unique elements to the show to keep our viewers hooked. Complementing the popularity of the show, we have got a phenomenal response from the advertisers this season, with substantial interest from the retail market. I whole-heartedly welcome all the 14 sponsors of the show and I am extremely delighted to continue our partnership with Maruti Suzuki and White Gold, who joins us as the Co-Title sponsors. Each of the sponsors will get innovative brand engagement opportunities in every phase of the show to bring out their brands’ core propositions effortlessly and leave a long-lasting impression among the viewers in this festive season. I am certain that this new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will inspire millions of our Kannada viewers to sing along with the talented contestants and generate massive value for our revered partners.”

    ZEEL chief sales officer – South cluster VS Raghavan agrees with Ashish. He added, “Being a market leader for over 250 weeks, ZEE Kannada has always been the first choice platform for brands targeting Kannada heartland to build reach, TOMA or drive consideration. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, being our flagship has always been investors’ preferred destination given the distinct set of viewers it caters to, enabling brands achieve sharper connections with consumers be it for new launches, build awareness or for better engagement. In our 20th season, we have  raised our bar a notch higher by taking it global and onboarded many great brands this season with as many as 14 sponsors as part of the show, including several home grown local brands, which testify the trust and aspirations behind a talent show like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.”

    Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Sr executive officer, marketing & sales Shashank Srivastava shared his thoughts on the association saying “On behalf of Maruti Suzuki, I’d like to extend my best wishes to another year of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on ZEE Kannada. It is exciting for all of us to partner again with the show in its 20th Season which promotes and celebrates the best of Kannada singing talents from India and across the globe.  This partnership helps us reach out to our relevant audiences in the most engaging manner making the association truly symbolic.”

    “At Amrith Noni company, we firmly believe in partnering with properties that align with our values and contribute positively to society and ZEE Kannada’s shows have been doing exactly that in the Karnataka market.  We have been closely associated with many of the channel’s marquee shows that have a strong following among our core consumers.  Our association with ZEE Kannada over the years has given us the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people, our products are aimed at making life easy and so are their shows and we see this as a harmonious marriage that go on for longer” said Amrith Noni CEO Narayan N.

    White Gold managing director Babu C J who is associating with the show for the first time said, “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. White Gold aims to transform the unorganized gold-buying market in India with its organized work process and 100% transparency. We have been serving people who wanted to sell gold by providing them with liquidity for their emergency money requirements and offering a fair value for their gold. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa embarks on a parallel journey where talent converges with opportunity and has scripted many underdog-winning stories. This collaboration further enhances our brand’s positioning within the pertinent audience and together we aspire to deliver an exceptional season that resonates with all.”

    Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Season S20 airs every Saturday and Sunday at 7.30 pm, on ZEE Kannada and ZEE Kannada HD.

  • Zee Kannada completes 16 years; leads Karnataka market

    Zee Kannada completes 16 years; leads Karnataka market

    Mumbai: Zee Kannada completes 16 years as a general entertainment channel today. The channel is leading the Karnataka market with 40 per cent share for the last 181 weeks as per Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data.

    Zee Kannada’s content strategy involves offering thought-provoking fiction shows, clutter-breaking reality shows, intriguing talk shows and blockbuster movies to woo viewers to the channel. The channel has its expertise and uniqueness in both the fiction and non-fiction space, appealing to all age groups of people. It has also provided a stage for emerging talent with its non-fiction properties such as Maharishi Vaani, Drama Juniors, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Dance Karnataka Dance, Comedy Kiladigalu, Golden Gang, Weekend with Ramesh amongst others.

    Similarly, Zee Kannada’s fiction properties have also resonated with Kannada audience, especially shows like Hitler Kalyana, Puttakkanna Makkalu, Sathya or Manhanayaka, which have gone on to be cult classics.

    The year 2021-2022 has been a hit year for the channel with many of its shows garnering high launch TVRs (TV ratings) including Hitler Kalyana garnering 9.3 TVR, Puttakkana Makkalu at 13.5 TVR, Drama Junior Season Four at 8.4 TVR, and Dance Karnataka Dance Season 6 at 7.0 TVR. Notably, Puttakkana Makkalu launch week rating is a record for any new show in the history of the Kannada television industry.

    The channel has also bagged the satellite rights of top upcoming films like KGF 2, Vikrant Rona, Bajrangi 2, Ek Love Ya, Garuda Gamana Rishaba Vahana, Ratnan Prapancha, Galipata 2, Gandhada Gudi, Rider, and Drishya 2.

    “With an aim to inspire our viewers and help open doors for them to achieve their goals, we at ZEE Kannada and ZEE Picchar have always put the audience at the forefront and that is something that has truly worked well for us,” said Zee Kannada and Zee Picchar business head Raghavendra Hunsur.

    “From celebrating several milestones to emerging as the market leader, to taking social media by storm and having a highly successful season of fiction and non-fiction shows, Zee Kannada has had quite an eventful year. As the channel completes 16 successful years, it shows how we have grown as a brand and become leaders in our own right. The recognition also helps us understand and motivates us that we are on the correct path, and we hope to continue entertaining our viewers. I also hope that the viewers continue showering our shows with their love and support for years to come,” he added.

  • ZEE Kannada’s new show ‘Hitler Kalyana’ to take off on 9 August

    ZEE Kannada’s new show ‘Hitler Kalyana’ to take off on 9 August

    Mumbai: Regional GEC, ZEE Kannada has announced the launch of its new show ‘Hitler Kalyana’. Premiering 9 August, the show will air every Monday to Friday at 7 pm only on ZEE Kannada and ZEE Kannada HD.

    ‘Hitler Kalyana’ is the story of three daughters-in-law who set out in search of a suitable bride for their father-in-law Ram and each, for her own vested interests, gets him married to Leela. The lead characters Ram and Leela appear as chalk and cheese, and yet commence a relationship together, thus unfolding the story, a statement said.

    “There are many in life who are quick to point our weaknesses and curb our confidence by saying ‘Nīvu adannu māḍalu sādhyavilla’. Hitler Kalyana’s feel-good story will make you realize that not everything needs to be perfect in order to make things work,” said ZEE Kannada and ZEE Picchar business head, Raghavendra Hunsur. “The story will follow the journey of a girl who has been doubted her entire life but doesn’t lose her optimism. Through her innocent and earnest attempts, she displays a never-say-die spirit that is truly endearing. The story is entertaining and motivating all at once,” Hunsur added.

  • Zee Kannada’s Sathya meets real-life Sathya characters of Karnataka this International Women’s Day

    Zee Kannada’s Sathya meets real-life Sathya characters of Karnataka this International Women’s Day

    MUMBAI: Every year International Women’s Day is observed on 8 March to celebrate women, their rights and their achievements. This year, Zee Kannada pledges unique women of Karnataka on this honor. Sathya, the most rated show in the regional television market along with being one of Zee Kannada’s and Karnataka’s most impactful shows, sketches the life of a woman, Sathya, who overcomes hardships and fights fearlessly to become a woman of not just the house but also her society. Drawing inspiration from the role of Sathya, Zee Kannada began a quest for similar real-life characters who despite facing the harsh realities and struggles, emerge triumphant as a strong woman who has carved her own identity.

    The research led Sathya to learn about distinct real-life Sathya characters – Sowmya Rani, an auto driver from Mysuru; Sumalatha who works in the night shift at a petrol bunk in Mandya; Roopa Alisa a Go Pink Premium Cabs driver in Bengaluru and Uma Reddy a Swiggy delivery partner in Bengaluru.

    Womanhood is laced with many complexities imposed by culture, society and familial responsibilities. Sathya, the four superwomen and millions of other women have the power to inspire lives, win hearts and above all, change mindsets and create their own identity

    More importantly the show, its character, the Naanu Sathya initiative and all of Zee Kannada’s other shows question the status quo around gender inequality and showcase real life stories of women who excel in fields that are “male centric” and inspire millions of aspiring women who want to prove themselves in fields that the society has marked as “not for women”.  Naanu Sathya is one such initiative that looks to break that stereotype and change the lens through which society sees what a woman can or cannot do.

     Zee Kannada and Zee Picchar business head Raghavendra Hunsur said, “We believe in the power of storytelling and the impact it has on our viewers. With Sathya, we have worked towards blending imperative social issues that women face with an intriguing plot line. Successfully inspiring lives, we go a step further marking this International Women’s Day by honoring and encouraging more such women in our society. Zee Kannada will continue to tell stories that inspire millions to ‘Open Doors to Possibilities’ that help translate dreams to reality.”

  • Zee Kannada marks 14 years of grand success

    Zee Kannada marks 14 years of grand success

    MUMBAI: Zee Kannada celebrates 14 glorious years of entertaining Kannada audiences from across India. Over the years, the channel’s variety of multi-genre offerings, from fiction shows to reality shows and talk shows have been reflective of its philosophy – ‘Bayasid'dha Bāgilu Tegiyōṇa'.

    At the beginning of the previous calendar year, Zee Kannada emerged as the number one channel for the first time in 13 years and has ever since continued to win the hearts of all Kannada audience.

    Impacting viewers by serving as an inspiration and refection of love, Zee Kannada’s tent-pole shows like Weekend with Ramesh, Drama Juniors, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Jothe Jotheyali and now with the launch of Malgudi Days, the channel has transformed small screen entertainment in the market.

    Zee Kannada and Zee Picchar business head Raghavendra Hunsur says, “Zee Kannada has had an eventful year with an aim to inspire the viewers and achieve goals beyond their reach. The channel is celebrating several milestones like emerging as the market leader, a successful season of Weekend with Ramesh, launching the most popular fiction show, Jothe Jotheyal; and the first-ever adaptation of Malgudi Days to the Kannada small screen for the first time.”

    He adds, “We hope the viewers continue to show and support the channel in the years to come. Though these difficult times of the pandemic, as your entertainment partner, we urge everyone to stay indoors and stay safe with Zee Kannada.”

  • Zee Kannada brings Malgudi Days to small screen

    Zee Kannada brings Malgudi Days to small screen

    MUMBAI: Zee Kannada has launched Shankar Nag's Malgudi Days, starting 11 May, every weekday at 9.30 PM on its SD and HD platforms.

    Swami and friends will now be paying a visit to the homes of every Kannadiga with their sweet tales from the pre-independent era. The evergreen classic series enjoyed in the 80s and 90s will be introduced to the Gen Z.

    Be it the nostalgic soundtrack or to the location of the traditional house and the strong association the state of Karnataka, director Shankar Nag has ensured to make Malgudi Days the flavour this summer.

    Zee Kannada and Zee Picchar business head Raghavendra Hunsur says: “It brings me great pleasure to be able to announce the launch of the popular series to the Kannada small screen for the first time in the history of Malgudi Days. A series I hold extremely close to my heart is finally something I will be able to share with all our viewers starting 11 May on our platform is definitely a moment of pride for me and the channel. We hope this will make all our summers memorable.”

  • Zee Picchar becomes No. 2 movie channel in Karnataka

    Zee Picchar becomes No. 2 movie channel in Karnataka

    MUMBAI:: As per the recently released BARC weekly data, ZEE Picchar has claimed the second position in the Kannada movies genre with a total of 85.47 million impressions in its month of launch. In an already-cluttered market with players who are long-established, this position demonstrates the network’s strong resonance with the consumer interests and sentiments in Karnataka. With ZEE Kannada already holding the leadership position in the market for over a year now, ZEE network is all set to capture a sizeable share of the television viewership. ZEE Picchar’s launch has also been the most successful one the industry has seen in the last 3 years. 

    Launched with the unique promise of giving its viewers a Hit Dinada Feeling every day, the channel also stands out due to a robust movie library spanning generations and genres and consisting of some of the television’s highest rated movies like Kurukshetra, Doddmane Hudga, Pailwan, The Villain, Hebuli etc. With an innovative content strategy, wherein the channel premiered 12 new movies on 12 days consecutively for the first time ever for this genre, the channel has received an overwhelming response from Sandalwood movie lovers.

    ZEEL domestic broadcast business chief consumer officer Prathyusha Agarwal said: “The exceptional performance of ZEE Picchar stands testimony to our network’s extraordinary commitment to be reflective of the cultural core of our viewers in each region that we operate in. With our ‘soul to screen’ approach, we tried to bring alive the love of cinema and celebrate its role in the lives of Kannadigas through this channel. And we are extremely happy that our audiences have given us a “Hit Dinada feeling’ in return by recognising our efforts and appreciating our offering.”

    ZEE Kannada and ZEE Picchar business head Raghavendra Hunsur said: “I am extremely proud of Zee Picchar’s achievement as it clearly portrays that the channel has found love from Kannadigas, marking a milestone in the Kannada television market. For the first time in three years, a new channel has received as much encouragement and we are deeply humbled by the response. We are certain to only scale upwards from here as we have miles to go to achieve our goal. We are driving the channel’s placement further as we want the channel to be available across all homes for all our viewers in Karnataka. There is much more movie entertainment to come from ZEE Picchar for all our viewers. We are touched by the overwhelming support of our ardent viewers; we urge everyone to stay indoors and stay safe while having a hit day with ZEE Picchar.”

    With a strong library of 350+ films, audience interests’-based programming throughout the day and exclusive titles, the channel is geared up to continue delivering on its strong debut performance and keep winning the hearts and minds of the Kannadigas who love watching movies.