ITV

Tag: Zee Entertainment Enterprises

  • Zee promotes Chandni Mathur to director of corp comm

    Zee promotes Chandni Mathur to director of corp comm

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has promoted Chandni Mathur to director of corporate communications, after her role as associate director of corporate communications.

    With nearly seven years at Zee, she has held key positions, including associate director and senior manager, where she developed effective strategies and enhanced media relations.

    Mathur began her career as a business journalist and has over seven years of experience in media, advertising, and marketing. She has also worked with organisations such as Financial Express, Radioandmusic.com, and Focus TV.

  • Zee Studios to create biographical film on Ratan Tata

    Zee Studios to create biographical film on Ratan Tata

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata. Tata has been a guiding light of leadership, vision, compassion, and work ethic for generations of Indians.

    In a heartfelt tribute to the veteran, who significantly contributed to India’s economy and uplifted millions, Zee’s MD & CEO Punit Goenka has proposed the creation of a “Biographical film on the life of Shri Ratan Tata Ji.” This film aims to honour the individual and highlight his positive global impact through his social and entrepreneurial initiatives. Goenka believes it is essential to present the remarkable work of Ratan Tata to the nation and the world, especially to the youth, and Zee is committed to taking action in this direction.

    Zee’s chairman R Gopalan stated that the entire board is saddened by the loss of Tata. Upon approving the project, he remarked that the film would be produced by Zee Studios as a tribute to the business titan. He believes the film will have a positive influence on the world, inspiring millions to emulate his legacy.

    This initiative requires Zee to obtain approval from TATA Sons. Zee will donate the profits generated by Zee Studios from this film to social causes and support the needy. To reach global audiences, Zee Studios will collaborate with WION (World is One News) as a co-producer, leveraging its viewership in over 190 countries.

    Zee Media CEO Karan Abhishek Singh said, “All of us at Zee News group feel privileged to be associated with the desired and timely initiative by ZeeL, we convey our sincere condolences for the departed soul.”

    Zee Studio’s CBO Umesh Bansal stated, “As a Nation’s very own brand, Zee Studios entire team is highly honoured and proud to work on a full length documentary/biographical film on the life of Shri. Tata that will reflect the positive impact that Shri. Ratan Tata has made to the World at large. We believe that it is our duty to celebrate such a great personality and his legacy. We assure BHARAT that Zee Studio will leave no stone unturned to give a true account of his contribution as well as depicting his life in a proper manner.”

  • Zee’s Independent Investigation Committee finds no material irregularities

    Zee’s Independent Investigation Committee finds no material irregularities

    Mumbai: The Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) constituted by the board of directors of Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Zee) submitted its report to the board of the company.

    The committee, chaired by High Court of Allahabad’s former judge Justice Dr Satish Chandra, comprises Zee’s two independent directors – Audit Committee chairman and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India former president Uttam Prakash Agarwal and Nomination and Remuneration Committee chairman, lawyer, author, and academic practitioner in HR and organisation development Dr. P.V Ramana Murthy. The committee conducted a thorough review of all allegations raised by the regulatory agencies. They carried out an extensive fact-checking exercise to verify all the documents and information provided by the company during the investigations to SEBI.

    Since its inception, the committee invested substantial time to delve deeper into the areas of concern highlighted by regulatory agencies to curb the spread of misinformation. The committee sought advice from reputed external audit firms, taxation, and regulatory experts to ensure a comprehensive review.

    Key points from the report include:

    . The committee noted that the company provided complete support and shared detailed responses with SEBI.

    .  The company has implemented necessary remedial measures in respect of past issues already reviewed by SEBI.

    .  The company and board have provided evidence that appropriate and timely actions were taken to address SEBI’s concerns.

    . The transactions under investigation did not adversely affect the company or its shareholders and were part of normal business operations. No material irregularities were reported.

    . No further corrective or legal measures are required.

    Dr Chandra commented, “We conducted a detailed review of all allegations, and necessary submissions have been made to the Board. The efforts of the Committee members, along with external advisors, enabled a comprehensive evaluation. We have not found anything adverse in the Company’s operations.”

    The board has advised Zee to settle any pending adjudication proceedings with SEBI in a time-bound manner and focus on enhancing performance and profitability in line with the strategic growth plan implemented by the MD & CEO.

    On 27 February 2024, the board of Zee instituted the IIC to address allegations raised by regulatory authorities in the interest of shareholders and stakeholders.

  • Zee Café unveils ‘Just Talk Sneakers’ show

    Zee Café unveils ‘Just Talk Sneakers’ show

    Mumbai: Just Talk Sneakers, a new feature show on Zee Café, will explore sneaker culture and its rising influence in India. The series will include engaging conversations with celebrities, highlighting subcultures, personalities, and trivia related to sneakers. Each episode will provide an immersive experience as celebrity guests share personal stories and insights from the “sneakerverse.” Hosted by sneaker enthusiast and talk show host Mihir Joshi, the show premieres on 6 October (Sunday) at 8:30 pm, with new episodes airing every Sunday.

    The series features a lineup of celebrities, including Tanuj Virwani, Manav Chabbra, Unnati Malharkar, Akash Dodeja, Simran Dhanwani, Malini Agarwal, Sangeet Paryani, and Nisha Lulla. The show will provide a platform for viewers to learn sneaker lingo, facts, and explore the growing sneaker market in India.

    Chief cluster officer – East, North & premium cluster, Samrat Ghosh expressed his excitement about the launch, “At Zee Café, we prioritize understanding our youth-driven audience by identifying key subcultures and creating tailored content that truly resonates with them. By tracking evolving interests and cultural shifts, we deliver engaging experiences that captivate our viewers. This approach has positioned us as pioneers in introducing innovative concepts that connect with niche communities ahead of the competition.”

    Chief channel officer – English and zest, Rishi Parekh said on the launch, “As part of our English cluster, we’ve identified and tapped into emerging subcultures within our target audience. Our Anime Fan Fest attracted over 20,000 attendees across two cities, showcasing the immense interest in this genre. Building on this momentum, we’re thrilled to introduce Just Talk Sneakers with Mihir Joshi. The aim is to further expand Zee Café’s footprint in vibrant, youth-driven communities.”

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises’ chief growth officer – digital & broadcast revenue, Ashish Sehgal expressed his excitement on the launch, “Shows like Just Talk Sneakers provide a unique platform to engage with today’s youth by tapping into their passions and interests. Zee continues to focus on bringing content for every type of audience by identifying key subcultures and this show has been curated to resonate with the youth and create targeted and impactful experiences for them. We believe such refreshing content is a perfect fit for brands and sponsors where they can create stronger connections with this demographic and boost their visibility by integrating their messaging in an authentic way.”

    Zee – national sales head – brand works sales, youth cluster & influencer marketing – Sonal Shah: “This collaboration with Hell Energy and Ather is a perfect match for Just Talk Sneakers. Both brands exude energy, spontaneity, and a sense of movement, making them ideal partners for a show that celebrates youth culture and staying on the go. We’re confident this partnership will create long-lasting connections and elevate the experience for the youth community.”  

    Just Talk Sneakers will have eight episodes with new episodes airing every Sunday. The show will also be available on Zee Café’s YouTube channel.

  • Zee receives NCLT approval for settlement approval with Sony India

    Zee receives NCLT approval for settlement approval with Sony India

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to withdraw its application and claims related to the arbitration process involving its merger with Sony Pictures Networks India. This development marks the conclusion of a nearly three-year legal dispute.

    In a statement released on Thursday, Zee confirmed that the NCLT has agreed to allow the withdrawal of the scheme and has recalled the order it had previously sanctioned on 10 August 2023. This order had granted approval for the merger between ZEEL, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited (BEPL), and Culver Max Entertainment (CME).

    According to media reports, shares of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) surged more than three per cent on Friday after the company announced that it had received regulatory approval to recall its merger with Culver Max Entertainment Pvt Ltd (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India) and Bangla Entertainment Pvt Ltd (BEPL). ZEE’s stock gained as much as 3.26 per cent, reaching Rs 139.15 per share on the BSE.

    Despite initiating legal proceedings, Zee and Sony Pictures Networks India eventually reached a non-cash settlement in August 2024, resolving the matter amicably.

  • Subhash Chandra accuses Sebi chairperson Buch of derailing Zee-Sony merger

    Subhash Chandra accuses Sebi chairperson Buch of derailing Zee-Sony merger

    MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra is on the war path. The founder  & chairman emeritus of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, held a press conference late last evening wherein he openly lambasted the Securities & Exchange Board of India  (Sebi) chairperson Madhabhi Puri Buch.

    Chandra is being probed by the market regulator for alleged fund diversion of over Rs 2,000 crore from the media behemoth.

    The 73-year old Chandra alleged that Buch is one of the negative forces who has been acting against his group all along and it is her interference in the regulatory clearance of Zee’s merger with Sony that caused it to fail.

    Said he: “Sebi has not been acting in the interest of investors of Zee Entertainment. Zee Sony merger was progressing well and they had got Sebi/ stock exchange approval. Despite the same, Sebi instructed BSE/NSE to intervene in NCLT proceedings and scuttle the merger by spooking Sony. Ultimately the merger was terminated by Sony which resulted in erosion of huge wealth of minority shareholders.”

    He further leveled charges of corruption against Buch, saying that her income, along with her husband was Rs 1 crore, which shot up to Rs 40-50 crore per annum after she assumed her position at Sebi.

    ”This  needs to be investigated by media and investigating agencies, including analysis of the settled/compounded cases and the consultation fees paid by such corporates and received by Sebi chairperson and her connected persons. These are many ways she and her husband extort money from corporates and stock market corrupt operators and fund managers,” he alleged.

    He added that he had been approached by a middleman – Manjit Singh – in January 2024 who professed to represent Buch and offered to rid Zee of its regulatory problems with Sebi in exchange for a price which would run into three digits.  

    “I dismissed it then but now with the Hindenburg and ICICI bank revelations against Madhabi Puri Buch and her connected persons, it seems that the person who approached me may have been right. May be this was the modus operandi in various cases, which have got settled/adjudicated through compounding with light touch,” highlighted Chandra. “It was (ICICI’s) Chanda Kochhar and her husband; and Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband; working in tandem, hence Madhabi Puri Buch was paid hefty sums of money by ICICI while she was the whole-time member at Sebi.”

    The goateed entrepreneur said he had lost faith in the securities watchdog and would not cooperate with it in his personal capacity. “I urge Zee Entertainment to also stop co-operating with Sebi any further; since it is a biased investigation being carried out; with a pre-conceived mindset of its chairperson,” he said in conclusion.

    Meanwhile,  the ICICI group has refuted the allegations made by the Congress (I) that Buch continued to receive a salary from the bank after her retirement. 

    It said in a statement on X: “ICICI Bank or its group companies have not paid any salary or granted any ESOPs to Madhabi Puri Buch after her retirement, other than her retiral benefits. It may be noted that she had opted for superannuation with effect from 31 October  2013. During her employment with the ICICI group, she received compensation in the form of salary, retiral benefits, bonus and ESOPs, in line with applicable policies…All the payments made to Ms. Buch post her retirement had accrued to her during her employment phase with the ICICI Group. These payments comprise ESOPs and retiral benefits.”

    A senior Sebi official termed the allegations  against Buch as “malicious and opportunistic” to business daily, Business Standard.

     

  • Promax India Awards 2024 wraps up with spectacular wins

    Promax India Awards 2024 wraps up with spectacular wins

    Mumbai: The Promax India Awards 2024 have officially wrapped up, marking the end of an extraordinary virtual event celebrating the brightest talents in media and entertainment marketing. With an array of creative work across 57 categories, this year’s awards highlighted the industry’s leading players’ resilience, innovation, and creativity.

    Despite the challenges faced by the industry in a post-pandemic landscape, the virtual format allowed Promax India to reach a global audience, showcasing the best work in entertainment marketing and promotion. This year’s winners demonstrated artistic excellence and a keen ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

    Shemaroo Entertainment led the pack with an impressive haul, taking home 20 Gold and 13 Silver awards. Their campaigns stood out for their creativity and impact, setting new benchmarks in the industry. Disney Star/ Disney+ Hotstar/ NGC also shone brightly, securing 15 Gold and 11 Silver awards. Their innovative approaches to brand promotion and audience engagement were widely recognised and celebrated. Culver Max Entertainment claimed 9 Gold and 13 Silver awards, showcasing their versatile and dynamic work across various categories. Zee Entertainment Enterprises made its mark with 6 Gold and 6 Silver awards, reflecting its commitment to pushing the boundaries of entertainment marketing. Viacom18 earned 1 Gold and 8 Silver awards, underscoring their consistent efforts to deliver high-quality promotional content. Reporter Broadcasting Company garnered 2 Gold awards, highlighting their impactful storytelling and marketing strategies. MA+TH Entertainment Network achieved 1 Gold and 1 Silver award, showcasing their innovative contributions to the industry. White Turtle Studios – A Trailer Park Group Company and Dynamite Design each took home 1 Silver award, while Cutawayy Films and Warner Bros. Discovery celebrated their success with 1 Gold each.

    Promax India event director Andy Chua reflected on the event’s success, stating, “It’s been a challenging year for the Indian entertainment media industry, with many companies still recalibrating and navigating the new market realities post-pandemic. But what really stands out to me is how this challenge has sparked even more creativity and smarter budgeting, as seen in the brilliant entries we’ve received for The Promax India Awards. As we come together virtually to celebrate these achievements, I’m excited to share that Promax India is evolving, too. Next year, we’ll be rebranding as The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts and Sciences (GEMA), and we’re planning to bring a fresh, in-person event to India. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us.”

     

  • Zee turns around, onward to healthy growth

    Zee turns around, onward to healthy growth

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Z IN) reported healthy revenue growth, led by increased subscription revenue (8.8 per cent  YoY) given price hikes due to implementation of NTO 3.0 and higher revenue from Zee5. So, expect subscription revenue to grow in the range of 6-7 per cent YoY, near term. Ad revenue was muted as it declined 3 per cent YoY, but this was on the back of ad spends moving away from GECs to properties such as T20 WC, General Elections and IPL. We expect ad revenue momentum to pick up in the near term, helped by: 1) positive impact from the festive season, 2) higher spends by FMCG companies and 3) traction in regional GECs. Ad revenue for Z may grow in the range of 3-5 per cent YoY in the near-to-medium term, as TV medium shows resilience amongst other traditional media genres.

    Much needed respite for margin

    Z has reported healthy margin improvement of 470bps YoY to 12.7 per cent, largely helped by: 1) better subscription revenue, 2) lower losses in Zee5, 3) lower employee expenses and 4) cost cutting initiatives in technology. EBITDA margin may see further acceleration, helped by better ad growth in the festive season and consistent cost cutting initiatives. Losses in the digital business (Zee5) have come down by 48 per cent, as quarterly loss is now at Rs 1,777mn (reported), versus an average quarterly loss of INR 2,718mn (average of past four quarters). Zee5 continues to report healthy performance with 15 per cent  YoY growth in Q1 revenue, despite cost cutting initiatives. We expect a sharp improvement of 550bps in EBITDA margin to 16.0 per cent by FY27E.

    Await FCCB cash deployment plan

    We believe raising capital is a mild positive for Z, basis its deployment to generate higher returns. These proceeds from FCCBs (of up to INR 20,000 mn) will come in a phased manner. This will ensure steady cash flow, to: 1) combat increased competitive intensity (merger of RIL/Disney) and 2) use in potential acquisitions, if any.

    We believe it is also likely that Z may acquire channels of RIL/Disney, if viewership share or market share in certain genres is high and is not approved by CCI (Competition Commission of India). As per our assessment, RIL/Disney have bigger overlaps in the urban GEC genre, which is Z’s weakness, given the latter’s strength in the regional markets. The cash infusion can also be used to acquire potential digital assets/OTT platforms. We believe there is a high likelihood of the funds being deployed for inorganic purposes, than organic.

    Issuance of FCCBs will be treated as a debt instrument for now, until converted into equity shares post maturity or earlier. Assuming that every tranche is of Rs 2bn, there will be an interest expense of Rs 100 mn for Z, which will have a natural forex hedge, as 5-7 per cent of Z’s revenue (Rs 6,000-7,000mn) is international ($ based). So, there may be no hit on earnings for now each time a tranche is raised, as the money may be deployed in liquid funds temporarily, until the final purpose is decided per opportunities. Post deployment, each tranche of Rs 2,000mn will have a negative impact of 1.2 per cent  on Z’s earnings due to interest outgo.

    Overall, this could be a win-win for FCCB investors, as they get to pay a coupon rate of 5 per cent and purchase bonds at CMP of Z. This is attractive at 8x forward P/E – core broadcasting segment (basis FY26E). There is a high likelihood of incremental upside over coupon rates for the investors, basis: 1) pick up in TV advertising, 2) margin improvement, and 3) strong growth in the digital segment. Some part of the FCCB proceeds can also be used internally to fund content acquisitions on digital/OTT side, which can drive scale for Zee5 as a platform, and positively impact digital business’ valuations. We do not foresee any major investment in sports by Z in the near term, as all major properties such as IPL, World Cup and BCCI rights, will come up for renewal in the next 3-4years.

    The management has largely identified a plan to deploy this cash and allocation towards growth initiatives is a key monitorable, as per our assessment.

    Valuation: Reiterate BUY with a higher TP of Rs 210

    Z is estimated to report strong earnings CAGR of 17.2 per cent  (FY25E-27E), led by strong margin improvement and better revenue growth. Raising FCCBs in tranches will not hit earnings, but allocation of this capital is a monitorable. The management has guided for an EBITDA margin of 18-20 per cent by FY26, which could provide respite and drive valuation re-rating.

    Z (core broadcasting) is currently trading at inexpensive valuation of 8.0x FY26E P/E. We raise earnings estimates by 8.4 per cent/6.9 per cent for FY26E/27E, factoring in better margin performance – Maintain BUY. We roll over to raised Sep’25E SoTP-TP of INR 210 (from INR 180). We value the broadcasting business at 11x (from 10x) one-year forward P/E and OTT at 3.0x (unchanged) one-year forward EV/sales.

    The credit of this article goes to Elara Capital SVP Karan Taurani. 

  • Zee posts turnaround; reports profit of Rs 118 crore

    Zee posts turnaround; reports profit of Rs 118 crore

    Mumbai: Subhash Chandra’s use of the axe at Zee Entertainment Enterprises seems to be yielding results. The goateed entrepreneur has taken charge over the past six months and has been focusing on reducing costs and getting Zee ship into shipshape. This is showing up in the first quarter 2025 accounts released earlier today.

    EBITDA margins at 12.8 per cent; year on year increased by 500bps, aided by effective cost management and lower interests costs and rise in other income (Rs 19 crore vs Rs 14.5 crore). Net profit during the quarter was at Rs 118.1 crore which is a 784.16 per cent increase quarter on quarter.

    Overall Q1 FY25 revenue rose to Rs 2130.5 crore (as against Rs 1983.8 crores in previous year’s corresponding quarter.

    Thanks to the surfeit of cricket and elections, the network share fell from 16.8 per cent to 16.4 per cent in the latest quarter. In keeping with the drop, domestic advertising fell 3.6 per cent at Rs 911.3 crore (Rs 940.9 crore), even as subscription revenue rose to Rs 987.2 crore (Rs 907.5 crore). International advertising revenue was at Rs 424 crore whereas subscription revenue was at Rs 102.4 crore. Its domestic weekly impressions grew from 28.5 billion to 28.7 billion.

    The company in its earnings release has stated that it expects its margins to improve through the rest of the year even as it keeps a tight eye on costs. It however has cautioned that the amount margins improve will depend on how ad revenue picks up in the second half.

    On the digital front, its streaming platform Zee5’s revenue increased 15.3 percent to Rs 223.7 crore in Q1 from Rs 193.9 crore in the year-ago period.

    The Zee share price is quoted around the Rs 151 mark at the time of writing.

  • ZEE5 takes lead in global digital entertainment with diverse and innovative narratives

    ZEE5 takes lead in global digital entertainment with diverse and innovative narratives

    Mumbai: In an ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, streaming platforms like ZEE5 are at the forefront of delivering diverse and innovative narratives to a global audience.

    ZEE5, a subscription-based video-on-demand and over-the-top streaming service, is operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, an Indian media conglomerate. Launched on 14 February 2018, in India, the platform offers content in multiple languages. The ZEE5 mobile application is accessible across various platforms including Web, Android, iOS, and Smart TVs. As of December 2019, ZEE5 reported 56 million monthly active users.

    Indiantelevision caught up with ZEE5 chief content officer – Hindi Originals Nimisha Pandey provided insights into the platform’s strategic approach, long-term planning for series, collaborations with content creators, and the nuanced process of creating content that resonates authentically with global audiences while respecting cultural nuances. The platform’s commitment to understanding evolving viewer preferences, fostering creative collaborations, and staying true to the essence of diverse stories positions ZEE5 as a dynamic force shaping the future of digital entertainment on a global scale.

    On ZEE5 navigating the delicate balance between meeting existing viewer expectations and introducing fresh, innovative narratives that might challenge the status quo

    With streaming platforms expanding their reach globally, there is an increased demand for content that reflects diverse cultures and perspectives. Also important to note is that OTT consumption patterns have undergone a paradigm shift. When we started off, it was largely led by individual viewing on a personal device but there has been a sharp uptick in C-TV viewing leading to the introduction of new narratives and themes that are better suited to co-viewing as a family unit. Moreover, the need for targeting specific demographics and age groups with content customized to suit their diverse palates has led us to invest significantly in originals and experiment with stories that have never been attempted before.  Our content portfolio is truly reflective of this diversity. Ranging from inspiring narratives of ordinary turning extraordinary such as ‘Saas Bahu aur Achaar Pvt Ltd’ and Janbaaz, to escape-worthy historicals like Taj to a spy thriller such as ‘Mukhbir’ or the cult favourites with a strong millennial connect such as Tripling, Pitchers, Humorously Yours and Aam Aadmi Family, we want to make sure that every show reaches its right audience. Today, we are proud of a rich roster of franchise properties that the audience eagerly awaits the next season of – ‘Sunflower’, ‘Broken News’, ‘Mithya’ and ‘Rangbaaz’, ‘Mukhbir’. We believe in challenging the status quo with every story we choose to tell!

    On ZEE5’s long-term planning approach for series

    At ZEE5, we invest considerable time and resources towards understanding our evolving viewer, their preferences and tastes through an entire gamut of fieldwork by our brand and research teams in the space of deep dialoguing, video usage and attitude studies, digging into content trends basis social and digital consumption, deep-diving into a specific market or a consumer segment.

    Moreover, we are navigating times where the audience has begun to prefer staying ‘work in progress’ as opposed to a unidimensional identity in life – meaning that the viewer is increasingly becoming self-aware and wants different content to dial into different dimensions of their personality each day. So, on one day the same viewer switches on a breezy rom-com on another day, she is looking for a gripping, intense narrative laced with dark humour. The viewer today refuses to be put in a box!

    All of this combined with the creative vision that we collectively share with some of the most talented and passionate content creators in the space informs our content strategy. From immersive dramas to light-hearted comedies to dark thrillers, adaptations of popular global content franchises, from rom-coms and catch-up TV content to blockbuster movies, the idea is to make ZEE5 an all-inclusive platform which has something to offer for every entertainment need. For an OTT platform, the trust and faith of the viewers are among the key pillars to achieve long-term growth. Consistent delivery of rich content pieces drives a strong sense of relatability and belief in the platform among viewers. We aim to continue pushing creative boundaries and producing ground-breaking content for our audiences globally.

    On ZEE5’s approach to collaborations and partnerships with other content creators or platforms to bring fresh perspectives and innovative content to its audience

    At ZEE5, our ‘content and creator-first approach’ has revolutionized the way we curate content. We believe in the power of identifying and collaborating with the finest, creative minds and talent in the fraternity. While we are governed like any other player by business goals, we believe it is equally important to respect the creative vision of our content partners. This healthy creative approach has led us to empower diverse voices and foster innovation in our content offerings. We want to enable them to do their best work with us. Needless to say, it has played a huge role in attracting the right kind of collaborations with content powerhouses be it Guneet (Monga), Umesh (Bist) and Dharma for Gyaarah Gyaarah, BBC and Vinay Waikul for Broken News, Goldie Behl, Charudutt (Acharya) and Rohan (Sippy) for Duranga, Shivam Nair and Victor Tango for Mukhbir, Srijit Mukherjee and Juggernaut (Productions) for Jaanbaaz, Ron (Scalpello), Abhimanyu (Singh) and Vibhu (Puri) for Taj, Vikas Bahl for Sunflower, Apurva Singh Karki for Banda and Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd or the content powerhouses like Applause Entertainment, The Viral Fever (TVF). Each of these partnerships has yielded iconic stories as well as built existing IPs which have received phenomenal responses from our viewers across India and beyond. We’re equally proud of the diverse on-screen talent that has made ZEE5 their home – from Sunil Grover to Jaideep Ahlawat, from Sonali Bendre to Amruta Subhash, Huma Qureshi to Gulshan Devaiah, Vineet Singh to Regina Cassandra, Manoj Bajpayee to Shriya Pilgaonkar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui to Pankaj Tripathi. They have built a deep connection with our viewers in the last few years and played a crucial role in the turn-around of the platform.

    On the platform approaching content creation to ensure that stories resonate authentically with global audiences while respecting cultural nuances

    We recognize the importance of striking a balance between hyperlocal worlds and human emotions that have universal appeal. We believe in staying true to the soul of a story and not retro-fitting narratives to make the content travel. Collaborating with creators who are in touch with the ground realities and the social fabric of the story plays a key role in telling global stories. As we’ve expanded our international footprint and market share, we’ve proudly taken on the role of a cultural ambassador for the Indian subcontinent. Becoming the No.1 South Asian platform in key international markets such as the US, UAE, Australia, and Canada, and securing a significant position in the UK, reflects our dedication to entertaining diverse audiences worldwide. This is a testament to the fact that it is the authentic local stories that travel globally.