ITV

Tag: Zee Entertainment Enterprises

  • NDTV hires Aajtak veteran Sameer Anand

    NDTV hires Aajtak veteran Sameer Anand

    MUMBAI: NDTV has recruited  a senior advertising executive from rival broadcaster TV Today, as India’s news channels scramble for talent in an increasingly competitive market.

    Sameer Anand, who spent four and a half years climbing the ranks at TV Today’s Hindi news channel Aajtak, has joined NDTV as assistant vice president. The move comes as broadcasters battle for advertising revenues in a market where every rupee counts.

    Anand’s hire is a coup for NDTV Arena, the broadcaster’s sports arm. At Aajtak, he rose from assistant general manager to deputy general manager of ad sales, handling key corporate accounts that included blue-chip clients such as Maruti Suzuki, LG, Samsung and Panasonic during his earlier stint at Red FM.

    The executive’s career spans nearly two decades across India’s media landscape, including stints at Zee Entertainment Enterprises and radio broadcaster Red FM, where he cut his teeth managing corporate sales for 13 years.

    His appointment signals NDTV’s intent to bolster its commercial operations as Indian news channels face pressure from digital platforms and changing viewer habits. The broadcaster, which has weathered regulatory storms and ownership changes, is keen to strengthen its advertising revenues through experienced hands.

    The hire also reflects the musical chairs nature of India’s media industry, where seasoned sales executives command premium salaries as channels vie for market share in a fragmented landscape.

  • Zee5 launches 5 free streaming channels on LG Smart TVs across India

    Zee5 launches 5 free streaming channels on LG Smart TVs across India

    MUMBAI: TV’s gone lean-back, not laid back and Zee5 is making sure your living room feels like a blockbuster. In a move that turbocharges its Connected TV game, Zee5 has launched five new genre-specific FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels on LG Channels, the built-in, free streaming platform available on all LG Smart TVs.

    The new channels Z Dil Se, Z Horror Nights, Z Comedy Nation, Z Cine Classic, and Z South Flix are aimed at viewers who want high-quality, no-strings-attached entertainment, ranging from nostalgic Hindi films and supernatural spooks to dubbed South blockbusters and feel-good family comedies. And the best part? They’re completely free, with no subscriptions, sign-ins, or downloads needed.

    Drawing from Zee5’s massive library of content spanning over 30 years of legacy IP, these channels are curated into snackable, always-on programming blocks tailored for India’s growing lean-back audience. With 5 genre-rich streams ready to go, all you need is a remote and a couch.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., chief growth officer Ashish Sehgal explained, “Our FAST channel expansion to LG devices, backed by LG’s presence in Indian households, ensures seamless and free access to genre-led, high-quality content. It’s about more than just distribution, it’s about elevating the Connected TV experience for both viewers and advertisers.”

    LG Electronics India director of media entertainment solution Brian Jung added, “Zee5’s new FAST channels on LG make premium, culturally relevant, family-first content available without barriers. No paywalls, no passwords just pure entertainment.”

    Available instantly on LG Channels via the home screen of LG Smart TVs, these new additions represent a major stride in Zee5’s Connected TV ambitions, targeting India’s 20 million plus Smart TV households. For advertisers, the move opens doors to a highly engaged, screen-led demographic in a premium ad-supported format.

    Whether you’re in the mood for classic Govinda, spooky thrillers, or South Indian action dubbed in Hindi, Zee5’s FAST channels have a channel just for you no fees, just feels.

  • Zee5 gives viewers a reel treat with free Friday movie premieres

    Zee5 gives viewers a reel treat with free Friday movie premieres

    MUMBAI: Popcorn’s optional, but the binge is guaranteed. Zee5 has rolled out a free film fest with its new Friday Box Office initiative, letting users across India stream top movies without paying a rupee and yes, they’re bringing out the big titles. Starting 20 June, Zee5 will premiere one major hit every Friday free for all across seven Indian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. It’s not a one-off either. Each film stays on the platform for a few weeks, giving users time to discover, watch and rewatch at their own pace.

    The lineup reads like a pan-India film award show: Tarla, Pad Man, Lost, Projapoti, Aparajito, Vikram Vedha, Valimai, Bangarraju, Geetha Govindam, Drishya 2, Tonic and more representing not only Zee5’s vast catalogue but its regional storytelling might.

    “At Zee5, we believe great stories should be within everyone’s reach,” said Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief marketing officer, Kartik Mahadev. “Friday Box Office is our way of democratising entertainment and inviting new users into the Zee5 world.”

    The move isn’t just a generous crowd-pleaser, it’s a savvy growth play. By opening up premium content for free, Zee5 is aiming to build user habit, grow engagement, and reaffirm its positioning as India’s go-to platform for inclusive, multilingual streaming.

    With India’s streaming audience getting younger, hungrier, and more language-diverse, Zee5’s new box office is taking blockbuster Fridays from theatres to screens subscription not required.

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  • Shaurya Sharma tunes Into Zee TV as new marketing head

    Shaurya Sharma tunes Into Zee TV as new marketing head

    MUMBAI: From hyperlocal deliveries to high-decibel dramas, Shaurya Sharma is making a channel change that’s set to shake things up. The marketing maven has officially joined Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd as head of marketing for Zee TV (vice president for marketing), bringing with him a powerhouse portfolio that spans Disney-Star, Sun TV Network, Pernod Ricard, and more. With this move, Sharma takes charge of one of India’s most iconic general entertainment channels at a time when content consumption and audience loyalty is shifting faster than TRP charts.

    Armed with more than a decade of cross-category experience from liquor to logistics to linear TV Sharma’s trajectory is defined by versatility and results. Most recently, he served as Cluster marketing head for Sun Neo, Sun Marathi, and Sun Bangla at Sun TV Network, leading communication planning, social media strategy, and content marketing across diverse audience bases.

    Prior to that, he helmed marketing at Shadowfax, where he not only curated the brand’s voice but also launched India’s first ad-film on delivery jobs featuring Aparshakti Khurana and Supriya Shukla, reducing CPO by 15 per cent with his loyalty-building initiatives.

    His Disney-Star stint was equally action-packed, leading digital marketing for brands like Star Bharat and managing subscription strategy for the network’s vast distribution footprint.

    From boosting NPS scores in hyperlocal delivery to driving channel loyalty in competitive regional markets, Sharma’s work reflects a razor-sharp focus on brand resonance and consumer behaviour, both essentials in the ever-evolving GEC space.

    With Zee Tv now under his marketing stewardship, the small screen is likely to see big moves. And if history is any clue, Sharma’s campaigns won’t just sell shows, they’ll start conversations.

  • Pai charts a Prime course with content strategy role at Amazon

    Pai charts a Prime course with content strategy role at Amazon

    MUMBAI: From broadcast boardrooms to the streaming screen, Saurabh Pai is now scripting his next chapter at Amazon. The media and strategy specialist has taken on a new role in content strategy at Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, marking a pivotal move in his two-decade-long career in content, analytics, and business planning.

    Known for bringing a data-driven approach to programming decisions, Pai’s new position comes after a nearly three-year stint at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., where he served as director of network strategy. There, he played a key role in streamlining content planning across the network’s bouquet of channels, using tools like Looker and deep market insights to sharpen audience segmentation and performance forecasting.

    Before Zee, Pai spent close to seven years at Times Television Network, where he wore multiple hats across content and product management. From crafting viewer-first propositions to budgeting and performance tracking, he emerged as a critical thinker with a flair for aligning content with consumer intent.

    His career also includes a previous stint at Zee as Research Head for niche channels and product lead for Zee Studio, where his early work shaped how the network approached English-language content in India.

    At Prime Video, Pai will help steer content decisions in one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive streaming markets. With streaming giants increasingly leaning on insight-led content curation, his hybrid background in content, data and distribution is expected to play a key role in shaping Amazon’s next wave of originals and acquisitions in India.

    One thing’s clear: with this move, Pai isn’t just tuning in, he’s ready to help write the next big streaming script.

  • Zee lines up Ashwin Gargava to dial up DTH business

    Zee lines up Ashwin Gargava to dial up DTH business

    MUMBAI: The DTH dial just turned up a notch. Ashwin Gargava, a seasoned media professional with over two decades of experience, has been appointed as head of the DTH business at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), an expanded role that signals the network’s intent to sharpen its focus and operational rigour in the Direct-To-Home vertical.

    Known for his deep domain knowledge and deft handling of affiliate partnerships, Gargava steps into the upgraded mandate with a clear mission: to align Zee’s DTH play more closely with the strategic priorities of its Affiliate Sales team, and drive smarter, more synergised monetisation across platforms.

    A Zee veteran since 2015, Gargava has steadily scaled leadership ladders from building affiliate support to spearheading partnerships. Prior to Zee, he has worn multiple hats across HBO, Turner Broadcasting, Fox International Channels, and Magna Publishing, bringing together a portfolio rich in placement strategy, network negotiations, and international business development.

    In an era where traditional distribution and digital convergence increasingly overlap, Gargava’s expanded role will be key in making the DTH business not just future-ready, but future-resilient. And if his track record is anything to go by, it’s clear he’s not just along for the ride, he’s in the driver’s seat, with Zee’s DTH ambitions firmly in his sights.

  • Sonal Gupta joins Zee Entertainment Enterprises as senior vice president- syndication

    Sonal Gupta joins Zee Entertainment Enterprises as senior vice president- syndication

    Mumbai, India – Zee Entertainment Enterprises has appointed Sonal Gupta as its new senior vice president- syndication, based in Mumbai. With over 15 years of experience in the broadcast industry, Gupta brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Her appointment is effective November 2024. 

    Gupta’s most recent position was as head of content & alliances at One Life Studios, where she was responsible for leading syndication and acquisitions worldwide, driving business development through sales, licensing, and distribution, and curating content from renowned production houses.

    Prior to that, she held senior positions at IndiaCast Media, Videocon D2H, and Neo Sports Broadcast, with a focus on international content syndication, digital platforms, and business development.

    Gupta’s extensive experience in the industry has equipped her with a deep understanding of the global market and a proven track record of driving growth and increasing brand presence. She is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s syndication strategy and expanding its global footprint.

  • Asha Kulkarni joins Rise advisory board to promote gender diversity in mediatech

    Asha Kulkarni joins Rise advisory board to promote gender diversity in mediatech

    MUMBAI: Asha Kulkarni, vice-president of  partnerships &  ecosystem**  Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel), has announced her involvement with the Rise advisory board, a nonprofit organization that champions gender diversity within the broadcasting and media technology sectors. 

    Under the leadership of Shivani Kochhar in India, Rise focuses on impactful initiatives designed to empower women through programs like an annual mentoring initiative, the Rise Awards that honor outstanding women, and the Rise Up Academy that aims to inspire the next generation. Recently, media veteran Sulina Menon too had been co-opted onto  the board too. 

    Asha expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “It’s a privilege to contribute to empowering women and promoting inclusivity in our field. Serving as a mentor for the past year has been incredibly rewarding.” She invites others to support Rise and join their dynamic community.

    With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Asha has developed expertise in launching and scaling OTT/D2C platforms, managing large delivery teams, and fostering strategic partnerships across the media value chain.

  • Rashmi Jha gets branded content sales head role at Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV

    Rashmi Jha gets branded content sales head role at Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV

    MUMBAI: A large part of her career has been spent in the television news business though she has flirted with entertainment TV, and consumer goods for short periods. Now Rashmi Jha is headed back to TV news. She has joined Arnab Goswami’s ARG Outlier Media as head of branded content sales, presumably for Republic World, Bharat, Bangla, and Kannada.

    This is after almost four years of being employed with Associated Broadcasting (TV9) from 2020-2024 where she finally was designated as assistant general manager.

    She spent nearly two years working with Zee Entertainment Enterprises as a senior manager, innovation studio custom content, Zee Unimedia. Her exposure to consumer goods was with Green Ply Industries where she worked for two years and a bit more as brand manager.

    Rashmi took a stab at being employed at CNN-IBN but she spent only a year and some months there. Prior to that she had taken up a four-year spell with Zee News as marketing manager.

    The History graduate and PG diploma in advertising & PR landed her first job after her course studies at Maxesposure Media where she sold space for Ampersand magazine.

    “I am looking forward to driving impactful collaborations and delivering excellence. Here’s to growth, challenges, and creating something extraordinary!,” said Rashmi on Linkedin.

     

  • Zee5 elevates Shresth Gupta to VP – marketing (SVOD)

    Zee5 elevates Shresth Gupta to VP – marketing (SVOD)

    MUMBAI: In the fast-paced world of digital streaming, standing still is not an option. Just as an outdated gadget or a long-overdue promotion begs for an upgrade, so too does the leadership that steers innovation.

    Zee5, India’s leading homegrown video streaming platform, has announced a major upgrade of its own, elevating Shresth Gupta as VP – marketing (SVOD) for India and global markets. This dynamic move underscores Zee5’s relentless drive to dominate the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) space, sparking excitement and anticipation as the platform sets its sights on conquering new horizons and captivating audiences worldwide.

    In his new role, Gupta will spearhead the launch and promotion of original series and movies in Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi, aiming to drive subscription growth through impactful campaigns tailored for diverse audiences. Gupta joined Zee5 in August 2020 and has been instrumental in the platform’s success, orchestrating standout campaigns for popular titles such as “Taj: Divided by Blood”, “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai”, and “Gyaarah Gyaarah”.

    With over 15 years of experience in strategic planning and brand building, Gupta has held leadership positions at Sun TV Network, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and Reliance Broadcast Network. He successfully launched impactful initiatives, including introducing Sun Bangla to eastern markets and overseeing the launch of premium channels like Zindagi and &Prive HD.

    Recognised for his expertise in digital marketing, storytelling, and consumer insights, Gupta has consistently delivered campaigns that resonate deeply with audiences.

    His educational credentials include a post graduate diploma in communications from MICA and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Rajasthan University.

    This move underscores Zee5’s commitment to innovation in marketing and delivering exceptional value to its growing SVOD subscriber base.