ITV

Tag: Subhash Chandra

  • SPNI and Ten Sports rubbish acquisition talks

    SPNI and Ten Sports rubbish acquisition talks

    MUMBAI: On 8 August, several trade publications were splashed with headlines stating that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) was close to acquiring the Subhash Chandra-owned Zee Networks’ sports network Ten Sports. The news was also carried by Times of India’s tabloid Mirror. The Economic Times from the same group too published a similar report, with no confirmation from either of the parties involved. SPNI sources had told ET that they do not comment on speculation. But the price mentioned in the news item for the transaction was Rs 2,000 crore.

    Indiantelevision.com too reported that the news had been carried by the two newspapers. But it committed to get to the n two channels and get their revert on the same.

    We did yesterday. And both the networks have denied that any deal was at closure stage.

    A member of the senior strategy team at Sony spoke candidly when he told us: “There is nothing to comment. These all are false speculations there is no basis to these reports.”

    Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Seth did not mince any words when he spoke with us. Said he: “In the company, we keep talking and exploring various opportunities that are right for the organisation but the discussion does not mean that it will go in that direction The news is pure speculation.”

  • SPNI and Ten Sports rubbish acquisition talks

    SPNI and Ten Sports rubbish acquisition talks

    MUMBAI: On 8 August, several trade publications were splashed with headlines stating that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) was close to acquiring the Subhash Chandra-owned Zee Networks’ sports network Ten Sports. The news was also carried by Times of India’s tabloid Mirror. The Economic Times from the same group too published a similar report, with no confirmation from either of the parties involved. SPNI sources had told ET that they do not comment on speculation. But the price mentioned in the news item for the transaction was Rs 2,000 crore.

    Indiantelevision.com too reported that the news had been carried by the two newspapers. But it committed to get to the n two channels and get their revert on the same.

    We did yesterday. And both the networks have denied that any deal was at closure stage.

    A member of the senior strategy team at Sony spoke candidly when he told us: “There is nothing to comment. These all are false speculations there is no basis to these reports.”

    Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Seth did not mince any words when he spoke with us. Said he: “In the company, we keep talking and exploring various opportunities that are right for the organisation but the discussion does not mean that it will go in that direction The news is pure speculation.”

  • News reports claim SPNI is close to acquiring TEN brand from Zeel

    News reports claim SPNI is close to acquiring TEN brand from Zeel

    MUMBAI: A new whisper campaign, which if true, could change the lay of the land in India sports broadcasting has been going on over the past few days. It began with the Mirror tabloid from the Times of India group announcing that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) was close to acquiring the TEN sports brand from the Subhash Chandra owned-Zee Network.

    Of course when the Mirror breaks a piece of news related to business, you kind of keep it to yourself and on the shelf until a confirmation comes.

    Then this morning even The Economoc Times from the same group came out with a similar report. Again no confirmation from both the parties was forthcoming. SPNI sources told the ET that they do not comment on speculation. But the price mentioned in the news item for the transaction is Rs 2,000 crore.

    And when The ET does report something, you at least mention that it has reported it. The newspaper says that post the transaction, sports television in India will become a two horse race between the Twenty First Century Fox owned Star India and the Sony Japan owned SPNI.

    Observers, however, maintain that the enterprise value, if it the deal is indeed happening, of Rs 2,000 crore is too low. Reason: back in 2010, Zeel coughed up close to $44.155 million (Rs 270 crore) to acquire a 45 per cent stake in Taj Television Mauritius and Taj Television India. Prior to that, it had handed out $57 million (close to about Rs 360 crore) to snare a 50 per cent stake from the Bukhatir group. That means Zeel paid about Rs 630 crore to buy Ten Sports. Post that it has spent lots of money acquiring cricket rights and other sports rights, over the years.

    “Selling Ten Sports at 2x what it paid over nine years ago is not a great deal for Zeel,” says an investment banker close to Zeel. “I think the Essel group could be looking for at least 3x to 3.5x of the value. It’s not as if it is a troubled group that it has to resort to a fire sale like that. Zeel’s profitability, operating paramters, top line, debt, all are doing well. Hence, a 3x to 3.5x price is a better asking price.”

    Be that as it may, Indiantelevision.com will be reaching out to the two networks for a confirmation or denial later today. Until then, watch this space.

  • News reports claim SPNI is close to acquiring TEN brand from Zeel

    News reports claim SPNI is close to acquiring TEN brand from Zeel

    MUMBAI: A new whisper campaign, which if true, could change the lay of the land in India sports broadcasting has been going on over the past few days. It began with the Mirror tabloid from the Times of India group announcing that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) was close to acquiring the TEN sports brand from the Subhash Chandra owned-Zee Network.

    Of course when the Mirror breaks a piece of news related to business, you kind of keep it to yourself and on the shelf until a confirmation comes.

    Then this morning even The Economoc Times from the same group came out with a similar report. Again no confirmation from both the parties was forthcoming. SPNI sources told the ET that they do not comment on speculation. But the price mentioned in the news item for the transaction is Rs 2,000 crore.

    And when The ET does report something, you at least mention that it has reported it. The newspaper says that post the transaction, sports television in India will become a two horse race between the Twenty First Century Fox owned Star India and the Sony Japan owned SPNI.

    Observers, however, maintain that the enterprise value, if it the deal is indeed happening, of Rs 2,000 crore is too low. Reason: back in 2010, Zeel coughed up close to $44.155 million (Rs 270 crore) to acquire a 45 per cent stake in Taj Television Mauritius and Taj Television India. Prior to that, it had handed out $57 million (close to about Rs 360 crore) to snare a 50 per cent stake from the Bukhatir group. That means Zeel paid about Rs 630 crore to buy Ten Sports. Post that it has spent lots of money acquiring cricket rights and other sports rights, over the years.

    “Selling Ten Sports at 2x what it paid over nine years ago is not a great deal for Zeel,” says an investment banker close to Zeel. “I think the Essel group could be looking for at least 3x to 3.5x of the value. It’s not as if it is a troubled group that it has to resort to a fire sale like that. Zeel’s profitability, operating paramters, top line, debt, all are doing well. Hence, a 3x to 3.5x price is a better asking price.”

    Be that as it may, Indiantelevision.com will be reaching out to the two networks for a confirmation or denial later today. Until then, watch this space.

  • Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra takes Rajya Sabha oath

    Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra takes Rajya Sabha oath

    MUMBAI: 3 August 2016. The day the GST Bill was approved by the upper house of the Indian parliament will be a special day for Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chairman Dr Subhash Chandra. That is the day when the media industry pioneer took his oath as member of the Rajya Sabha, his first steps into politics.

    For Chandra, it has been a long journey to the corridors of power. While he has – with the help of his younger brothers, Jawahar, Laxmi and Ashok and the next generation of the family – built up an empire (encompassing media and entertainment, manufacturing, precious metals, infrastructure, real estate) which does billions of dollars of annual revenue, he says the time has come for him to give back to India.

    Of course, he and his organisations are involved in several spiritual and charitable causes, like the Buddhist Pagoda outside Mumbai, but he would now like to make a difference through governance, by entering the government.

    Speaking to reporters outside parliament yesterday he said: “I have done a great deal of business in my life – from the young age of 17 years until 65 years. I thought the time has come to give back to the society and as an MP, I can perhaps help lakhs of people by raising important issues and coaxing different parties to come together as I have good relations with all.”

    He is quite optimistic about the government’s initiatives in recent times and going forward. While applauding the passage of the GST bill, he however, had a note of caution, saying that it would not be a panacea for all the ills facing the economy and businesses. He expressed confidence in the Narendra Modi government’s ability to push through other tax reforms which would give business a further push, that would only further help Indian citizens courtesy the trickle down effect.

    He stated that he would be first working towards bettering the state of Haryana. “I will be inviting all 90 MLAs for dinner soon and request them to tell me whatever they have in mind for Haryana’s benefit,” he said. “My hallmark has been to raise issues that are often neglected by others. I’ll keep at it

    Media observers are hoping that the midas touch that has helped him turn almost everything he touches into success, will serve him well as he begins his journey into politics.

  • Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra takes Rajya Sabha oath

    Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra takes Rajya Sabha oath

    MUMBAI: 3 August 2016. The day the GST Bill was approved by the upper house of the Indian parliament will be a special day for Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chairman Dr Subhash Chandra. That is the day when the media industry pioneer took his oath as member of the Rajya Sabha, his first steps into politics.

    For Chandra, it has been a long journey to the corridors of power. While he has – with the help of his younger brothers, Jawahar, Laxmi and Ashok and the next generation of the family – built up an empire (encompassing media and entertainment, manufacturing, precious metals, infrastructure, real estate) which does billions of dollars of annual revenue, he says the time has come for him to give back to India.

    Of course, he and his organisations are involved in several spiritual and charitable causes, like the Buddhist Pagoda outside Mumbai, but he would now like to make a difference through governance, by entering the government.

    Speaking to reporters outside parliament yesterday he said: “I have done a great deal of business in my life – from the young age of 17 years until 65 years. I thought the time has come to give back to the society and as an MP, I can perhaps help lakhs of people by raising important issues and coaxing different parties to come together as I have good relations with all.”

    He is quite optimistic about the government’s initiatives in recent times and going forward. While applauding the passage of the GST bill, he however, had a note of caution, saying that it would not be a panacea for all the ills facing the economy and businesses. He expressed confidence in the Narendra Modi government’s ability to push through other tax reforms which would give business a further push, that would only further help Indian citizens courtesy the trickle down effect.

    He stated that he would be first working towards bettering the state of Haryana. “I will be inviting all 90 MLAs for dinner soon and request them to tell me whatever they have in mind for Haryana’s benefit,” he said. “My hallmark has been to raise issues that are often neglected by others. I’ll keep at it

    Media observers are hoping that the midas touch that has helped him turn almost everything he touches into success, will serve him well as he begins his journey into politics.

  • Q1-17: Zeel numbers up on higher ad, subscription revenue, PAT up 22 percent

    Q1-17: Zeel numbers up on higher ad, subscription revenue, PAT up 22 percent

    BENGALURU: The Subhash Chandra led content and broadcast player Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) reported a 19.2 per cent  hike in consolidated revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q1-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The growth was driven by a 19.2 percent growth in Zeel’s advertising (ad) revenue, supplemented by a 14.2 percent growth in subscription revenue. Zeel reported consolidated revenue (Total income from operations, TIO) of Rs 1,571.62 crore in Q1-17 as compared to Rs 1,326,68 crore in Q1-16.

    Profit after tax (PAT) for the current quarter increased 21.8 percent to Rs 216.96 crore (13.8 percent margin) as compared to Rs 178.18 crore (13.4 percent margin) in Q1-16.

    Ad revenue in the current quarter was Rs 911.98 crore (58 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 765.33 crore (57.7 percent of TIO) in Q1-16. Subscription revenue in the current quarter was Rs 528.16 crore (33.6 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 462.53 crore (34.9 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Zeel’s Operating profit (EBITDA) for Q1-17 stood at Rs 453.15 crore (28.8 percent EBITDA Margin) which was 44.1 percent higher than the Rs 314.57 crore (23.7 percent EBIDTA margin) in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Total Expenditure in Q1-17 increased 11.2 percent to Rs 1,143.58 crore (72.8 percent of TIO) from Rs 1,028.21 crore (77.5 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Finance costs in the current quarter declined 2.6 percent to Rs 7.5 crore (0.5 percent of TIO) from Rs 7.7 crore (0.6 percent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Employee benefit expense in Q1-17 increased 14.1 percent to Rs 149.93 crore (9.5 percent of TIO) from Rs 131.40 crore (9.9 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Advertising and Publicity expense in the current quarter increased 23.9 percent to Rs 119.71 crore (7.6 percent of TIO) from Rs 96.65 crore (7.3 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Company Speak

    Chandra added, “The financial results once again highlight the strong underlying fundamentals of the company. The advertising and subscription revenues continue to drive the company’s growth. Taking a long term view of the business trends we are committed to become a global content company and will make suitable investments to achieve that objective.”

    Zeel managing director and CEO Punit Goenka, Managing said, ““We have started the new fiscal on a positive note, delivering successful result in the first quarter. On the back of continued steady economic recovery, the company once again managed to outperform the market. The advertising growth is holding up and the subscription revenue is maintaining a steady growth. While the advertising could receive a fillip if the consumer spending improves, on the subscription front the industry awaits the regulatory guidelines which will shape the subscription revenue growth over the next few quarters.”

    The preference of the consumers keeps on evolving with time and we have consistently stayed ahead of the curve, and in many cases helped shape it. As an entertainment company, it is imperative for us to experiment with new content and innovate new formats, and we will continue to do so. We are making investments in new growth verticals with an aim that they will start contributing to company’s success in the future. An effort in this direction was the relaunch of company’s paid OTT platform dittoTV with new subscription plans. Our movie production business has started delivering results which is evident with movies like Sairat which became the highest grossing Marathi movie of all time.”

    Note: (1) The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    (2) All numbers in this report are consolidated unless stated otherwise.
     

    Click Here

  • Q1-17: Zeel numbers up on higher ad, subscription revenue, PAT up 22 percent

    Q1-17: Zeel numbers up on higher ad, subscription revenue, PAT up 22 percent

    BENGALURU: The Subhash Chandra led content and broadcast player Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) reported a 19.2 per cent  hike in consolidated revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q1-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The growth was driven by a 19.2 percent growth in Zeel’s advertising (ad) revenue, supplemented by a 14.2 percent growth in subscription revenue. Zeel reported consolidated revenue (Total income from operations, TIO) of Rs 1,571.62 crore in Q1-17 as compared to Rs 1,326,68 crore in Q1-16.

    Profit after tax (PAT) for the current quarter increased 21.8 percent to Rs 216.96 crore (13.8 percent margin) as compared to Rs 178.18 crore (13.4 percent margin) in Q1-16.

    Ad revenue in the current quarter was Rs 911.98 crore (58 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 765.33 crore (57.7 percent of TIO) in Q1-16. Subscription revenue in the current quarter was Rs 528.16 crore (33.6 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 462.53 crore (34.9 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Zeel’s Operating profit (EBITDA) for Q1-17 stood at Rs 453.15 crore (28.8 percent EBITDA Margin) which was 44.1 percent higher than the Rs 314.57 crore (23.7 percent EBIDTA margin) in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Total Expenditure in Q1-17 increased 11.2 percent to Rs 1,143.58 crore (72.8 percent of TIO) from Rs 1,028.21 crore (77.5 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Finance costs in the current quarter declined 2.6 percent to Rs 7.5 crore (0.5 percent of TIO) from Rs 7.7 crore (0.6 percent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Employee benefit expense in Q1-17 increased 14.1 percent to Rs 149.93 crore (9.5 percent of TIO) from Rs 131.40 crore (9.9 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Advertising and Publicity expense in the current quarter increased 23.9 percent to Rs 119.71 crore (7.6 percent of TIO) from Rs 96.65 crore (7.3 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.

    Company Speak

    Chandra added, “The financial results once again highlight the strong underlying fundamentals of the company. The advertising and subscription revenues continue to drive the company’s growth. Taking a long term view of the business trends we are committed to become a global content company and will make suitable investments to achieve that objective.”

    Zeel managing director and CEO Punit Goenka, Managing said, ““We have started the new fiscal on a positive note, delivering successful result in the first quarter. On the back of continued steady economic recovery, the company once again managed to outperform the market. The advertising growth is holding up and the subscription revenue is maintaining a steady growth. While the advertising could receive a fillip if the consumer spending improves, on the subscription front the industry awaits the regulatory guidelines which will shape the subscription revenue growth over the next few quarters.”

    The preference of the consumers keeps on evolving with time and we have consistently stayed ahead of the curve, and in many cases helped shape it. As an entertainment company, it is imperative for us to experiment with new content and innovate new formats, and we will continue to do so. We are making investments in new growth verticals with an aim that they will start contributing to company’s success in the future. An effort in this direction was the relaunch of company’s paid OTT platform dittoTV with new subscription plans. Our movie production business has started delivering results which is evident with movies like Sairat which became the highest grossing Marathi movie of all time.”

    Note: (1) The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    (2) All numbers in this report are consolidated unless stated otherwise.
     

    Click Here

  • Consistency &Change in ZEEL’s topline FY ’15-16 growth

    Consistency &Change in ZEEL’s topline FY ’15-16 growth

    MUMBAI: Consistency and change are the buzzword in Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel)’s new swanky office, spread over several floors, in India’s financial capital. And these two words also are also the guiding factors for the company as it continues to spread its wings globally even while consolidating its position at home.

    While company chairman and promoter of India’s first private satellite TV channel(s) Subhash Chandra feels digital is the way forward, taking a macro view, the team at ZEEL, led by Chandra’s elder son, Punit Goenka, peg away at initiatives to make the company bottomline blacker and live up to the visions of the visionary chairman.

    That’s why even in the international market, the group has successfully taken ZEEL’s popular domestic content in the original as well as repurposed form to focus not just on the South Asian diaspora, but on a wider cross section of global audiences in 171 countries.

    Media mogul Subhash Chandra led Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has registered the net profit for the year 2015-16 Rs 10, 267 million representing a margin of 17.5 percent.  This paper is based on Zeel’s Annual report for FY-2015- 16.

    “We are a local player in the markets we enter, identifying content The lines between global and local are getting increasingly blurred. ZEEL is focused on enhancing reach and emerging as a truly world-scale player in the M&E segment,” ZEEL said in its annual report for FY 2015-16 ending March 31, 2016.

    Sample some consolidated facts put out in the annual report: net profit of Rs 10, 267 million representing a margin of 17.5 percent; consolidated revenues of Rs 58,515 million representing a growth of 19.8 percent over previous year; operating profit (EBITDA) of Rs 15,095 million registering a 20.4 percent growth and resulting in a margin of 25.8 percent; Rs 34,297 million in ad revenue; Rs 20,579 million subscription revenue; 33 domestic channels and 38 international channels; Facebook fanbase of 5,10,000 plus and a 1,98,000 plus Twitter family.

    “Zeel has grown steadily since inception establishing itself as a dependable brand and organisation that is efficiently managed, well-governed and forward thinking. Our performance in FY 2015-16 is a further testimony to these practices. Our growth has been ahead of the market growth trajectory, duly reflected in the growing viewership share of our network (17.9 percent),” company MD and CEO Punit Goenka said in his director’s report in the annual report.

    To further strengthening the viewership share in the domestic market through a right-fit content strategy, Zee’s new Hindi GEC, &TV, built onto its successful launch and increased its popularity with the urban audience.

    Noting that the new audience measurement system rolled out by BARC is a welcome change especially as rural audiences are also been counted, Chandra observes, “This (rural audience measurement) is an important reset for all players as strategies are being revisited or drawn afresh. For Zee this is a welcome step given the depth and breadth of our content offerings and the reach of our channels.”

    The Zee network in India has four Hindi general entertainment channels, including Zee TV, Zee Anmol, Zindagi and &TV. While in the regional category, the brand has six channel under its umbrella and four channels under the Hindi movie cluster. The group has two channels under music genre and two in its English entertainment section even as Zee Q is categorised under special and niche genre.  

    We list here some highlights of the Zee family as enumerated in the annual report.

    Hindi GEC highlights

    Zee’s first Hindi GEC Zee TV has ranked third amongst the HGEC in the FY 2015-16. The channel delivered a weekly average of 10 shows among top 50 shows, led by the highly- rated shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Jamai Raja, Tashan E Ishq and Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani.

    The free to air channel Zee Anmol continued to maintain its number 1 position in the FTA GEC category. Shows like Jodha Akbar, Choti Bahu and Bandini were the top performing shows on the channel as per BARC rural data.

    Zindagi, a channel showcasing a mix of content of various hues, including some sourced from Pakistan, introduced original productions in FY 2015-16 starting with the first non-fiction show Shukriya. The channel also introduced Turkish content with the show Feriha, aimed at attracting younger audiences.

    The youngest member of the Zee family, &TV, which completed a year of operations in March 2016 continued to grow in popularity with urban audiences. It achieved 50 percent viewership growth since its launch month and 64 percent viewership growth in weekday primetime.

    Regional GEC

    As per the Annual Report, Zee Telugu increased its market share to become the number two channel in the Telugu GEC genre and number one channel in the urban Telugu market with 27.5 percent relative share in urban markets. The channel dominated the fiction genre with 35.4 percent relative share and the non-film viewership with 32.2 percent  relative share in urban market.

    ZEEL’s other regional channel, Zee Kannada, maintained the number two ranking in the urban Kannada GEC genre during the financial year under review.

    Zee Tamil’s growth is steady in the urban market with 6 percent relative share among Tamil GECs, whereas Zee Marathi maintained dominant leadership in Marathi general entertainment space with 50 percent market share.

    Zee Bangla grew to a stronger number two player with a 40 percent share in urban market, while Sarthak TV   maintained its no. 1 position in the Oriya market with over 50 percent market share.

    Hindi Movie Cluster

    The Hindi movies cluster was the market leader in its genre where it increased its viewership share to 34 percent despite a competitive environment with a significant increase in share of Zee Action and Zee Classic.

    Music Genre

    ZETC gained a 14 percent increase in urban and rural viewership since the inclusion of rural markets. Relative share of ZETC increased to 6percent in the music genre.

    Another music channel, Zing, witnessed a 28 percent increase in urban and rural viewership since the inclusion of rural markets in audience measurement. Relative share of Zing increased to 36 percent in the Youth GEC genre.

    English GEC

    Zee Café maintained its position as the most watched English GEC with a 24 percent market share. The channel boasts of an extensive library of some top US shows like House of Cards, Gotham, The Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Two and A Half Men, The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars.

    Zee Studio had a packed year with Indian television premieres to woo audience. The channel has grown from a 9 percent share to a 13 percent share in FY 2015-16.

    Niche & Special Interest Genre

    Zee Q achieved a stable and consistent rating during a volatile period of market fluctuations. It is the default destination for all things ‘DIY’ or do-it- yourself.

    Sports Channels

    Ten Sports in FY 2015-16 focused on content acquisitions to increase revenue streams and expanding existing ones. Ten Sports concentrated on acquiring/ creating content that created long-term strategic value, a strong programming backbone and also strengthened production as a function.

    New initiatives

    In FY 2015-16, the brand created a new entertainment vertical – Zee Theatre. Zee Theatre created over 30 unique theatre productions during 2015-16 that are ready for showcasing, ZEEL said in its annual report. Of this, nearly 12 will be available as live performances while the entire catalogue will be available for screenings and broadcast. This initiative’s aim is introduce theatre to a larger audience, making it accessible to viewers at their convenience and position theatre as a viable career opportunity for talent.

    Zeal for Unity is another unique endeavour that aims to bring people of India and Pakistan together by creating a cultural bridge. Launched at the historic Wagah-Atari border, Zeal for Unity brought together 12 accomplished filmmakers from India and Pakistan. Their task: to collaborate and make films that change the way citizens of the two countries think about each other.

    It would be quite apt to summarise ZEEL’s journey in the words of company chairman, quoted in the annual report, Chandra as saying, “Just as consistency has been a hallmark of our journey, so has change!”

  • Consistency &Change in ZEEL’s topline FY ’15-16 growth

    Consistency &Change in ZEEL’s topline FY ’15-16 growth

    MUMBAI: Consistency and change are the buzzword in Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel)’s new swanky office, spread over several floors, in India’s financial capital. And these two words also are also the guiding factors for the company as it continues to spread its wings globally even while consolidating its position at home.

    While company chairman and promoter of India’s first private satellite TV channel(s) Subhash Chandra feels digital is the way forward, taking a macro view, the team at ZEEL, led by Chandra’s elder son, Punit Goenka, peg away at initiatives to make the company bottomline blacker and live up to the visions of the visionary chairman.

    That’s why even in the international market, the group has successfully taken ZEEL’s popular domestic content in the original as well as repurposed form to focus not just on the South Asian diaspora, but on a wider cross section of global audiences in 171 countries.

    Media mogul Subhash Chandra led Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has registered the net profit for the year 2015-16 Rs 10, 267 million representing a margin of 17.5 percent.  This paper is based on Zeel’s Annual report for FY-2015- 16.

    “We are a local player in the markets we enter, identifying content The lines between global and local are getting increasingly blurred. ZEEL is focused on enhancing reach and emerging as a truly world-scale player in the M&E segment,” ZEEL said in its annual report for FY 2015-16 ending March 31, 2016.

    Sample some consolidated facts put out in the annual report: net profit of Rs 10, 267 million representing a margin of 17.5 percent; consolidated revenues of Rs 58,515 million representing a growth of 19.8 percent over previous year; operating profit (EBITDA) of Rs 15,095 million registering a 20.4 percent growth and resulting in a margin of 25.8 percent; Rs 34,297 million in ad revenue; Rs 20,579 million subscription revenue; 33 domestic channels and 38 international channels; Facebook fanbase of 5,10,000 plus and a 1,98,000 plus Twitter family.

    “Zeel has grown steadily since inception establishing itself as a dependable brand and organisation that is efficiently managed, well-governed and forward thinking. Our performance in FY 2015-16 is a further testimony to these practices. Our growth has been ahead of the market growth trajectory, duly reflected in the growing viewership share of our network (17.9 percent),” company MD and CEO Punit Goenka said in his director’s report in the annual report.

    To further strengthening the viewership share in the domestic market through a right-fit content strategy, Zee’s new Hindi GEC, &TV, built onto its successful launch and increased its popularity with the urban audience.

    Noting that the new audience measurement system rolled out by BARC is a welcome change especially as rural audiences are also been counted, Chandra observes, “This (rural audience measurement) is an important reset for all players as strategies are being revisited or drawn afresh. For Zee this is a welcome step given the depth and breadth of our content offerings and the reach of our channels.”

    The Zee network in India has four Hindi general entertainment channels, including Zee TV, Zee Anmol, Zindagi and &TV. While in the regional category, the brand has six channel under its umbrella and four channels under the Hindi movie cluster. The group has two channels under music genre and two in its English entertainment section even as Zee Q is categorised under special and niche genre.  

    We list here some highlights of the Zee family as enumerated in the annual report.

    Hindi GEC highlights

    Zee’s first Hindi GEC Zee TV has ranked third amongst the HGEC in the FY 2015-16. The channel delivered a weekly average of 10 shows among top 50 shows, led by the highly- rated shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Jamai Raja, Tashan E Ishq and Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani.

    The free to air channel Zee Anmol continued to maintain its number 1 position in the FTA GEC category. Shows like Jodha Akbar, Choti Bahu and Bandini were the top performing shows on the channel as per BARC rural data.

    Zindagi, a channel showcasing a mix of content of various hues, including some sourced from Pakistan, introduced original productions in FY 2015-16 starting with the first non-fiction show Shukriya. The channel also introduced Turkish content with the show Feriha, aimed at attracting younger audiences.

    The youngest member of the Zee family, &TV, which completed a year of operations in March 2016 continued to grow in popularity with urban audiences. It achieved 50 percent viewership growth since its launch month and 64 percent viewership growth in weekday primetime.

    Regional GEC

    As per the Annual Report, Zee Telugu increased its market share to become the number two channel in the Telugu GEC genre and number one channel in the urban Telugu market with 27.5 percent relative share in urban markets. The channel dominated the fiction genre with 35.4 percent relative share and the non-film viewership with 32.2 percent  relative share in urban market.

    ZEEL’s other regional channel, Zee Kannada, maintained the number two ranking in the urban Kannada GEC genre during the financial year under review.

    Zee Tamil’s growth is steady in the urban market with 6 percent relative share among Tamil GECs, whereas Zee Marathi maintained dominant leadership in Marathi general entertainment space with 50 percent market share.

    Zee Bangla grew to a stronger number two player with a 40 percent share in urban market, while Sarthak TV   maintained its no. 1 position in the Oriya market with over 50 percent market share.

    Hindi Movie Cluster

    The Hindi movies cluster was the market leader in its genre where it increased its viewership share to 34 percent despite a competitive environment with a significant increase in share of Zee Action and Zee Classic.

    Music Genre

    ZETC gained a 14 percent increase in urban and rural viewership since the inclusion of rural markets. Relative share of ZETC increased to 6percent in the music genre.

    Another music channel, Zing, witnessed a 28 percent increase in urban and rural viewership since the inclusion of rural markets in audience measurement. Relative share of Zing increased to 36 percent in the Youth GEC genre.

    English GEC

    Zee Café maintained its position as the most watched English GEC with a 24 percent market share. The channel boasts of an extensive library of some top US shows like House of Cards, Gotham, The Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Two and A Half Men, The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars.

    Zee Studio had a packed year with Indian television premieres to woo audience. The channel has grown from a 9 percent share to a 13 percent share in FY 2015-16.

    Niche & Special Interest Genre

    Zee Q achieved a stable and consistent rating during a volatile period of market fluctuations. It is the default destination for all things ‘DIY’ or do-it- yourself.

    Sports Channels

    Ten Sports in FY 2015-16 focused on content acquisitions to increase revenue streams and expanding existing ones. Ten Sports concentrated on acquiring/ creating content that created long-term strategic value, a strong programming backbone and also strengthened production as a function.

    New initiatives

    In FY 2015-16, the brand created a new entertainment vertical – Zee Theatre. Zee Theatre created over 30 unique theatre productions during 2015-16 that are ready for showcasing, ZEEL said in its annual report. Of this, nearly 12 will be available as live performances while the entire catalogue will be available for screenings and broadcast. This initiative’s aim is introduce theatre to a larger audience, making it accessible to viewers at their convenience and position theatre as a viable career opportunity for talent.

    Zeal for Unity is another unique endeavour that aims to bring people of India and Pakistan together by creating a cultural bridge. Launched at the historic Wagah-Atari border, Zeal for Unity brought together 12 accomplished filmmakers from India and Pakistan. Their task: to collaborate and make films that change the way citizens of the two countries think about each other.

    It would be quite apt to summarise ZEEL’s journey in the words of company chairman, quoted in the annual report, Chandra as saying, “Just as consistency has been a hallmark of our journey, so has change!”