Tag: Zee Group

ZEEL to acquire Reliance entertainment TV business

MUMBAI: After selling its sports telecast business to Sony, the Subhash Chandra-led Zee group is on an acquisition spree. Two separate developments today saw Zee, through two different corporate entities, take full control of the general entertainment TV business and 49 per cent stake in the radio business of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance ADA group.

With these developments, speculation too has been proved correct that Anil Ambani’s Reliance is fast reducing its exposure in the media sector. Some other group companies of Ambani also control a DTH operation run under the brand name Reliance BIG TV. Reliance Capital informed the stock exchanges that by shedding its radio and TV assets it will reduce its debt by approximately Rs. 1,900 crore (US$ 283 million) upon final completion of stake sale transactions.

The board of directors of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) today approved the acquisition of the general entertainment broadcasting business of Reliance Big Broadcasting Private Limited, Big Magic Limited and Azalia Broadcast Private Limited, all part of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group Entities.

The acquisition has been facilitated through a scheme of demerger and execution of definitive agreements in relation to such proposed acquisition. The general entertainment TV broadcasting business undertaking, along with its assets, liabilities, licenses, trademarks etc., shall get demerged from BIG Magic Ltd, Reliance Big Broadcasting Private Ltd and Azalia Broadcast Private Ltd into ZEEL through a court-approved scheme.

The TV broadcasting business of Reliance Group entities currently comprises two operational general entertainment channels — Hindi comedy channel BIG Magic and Bhojpuri-language GEC BIG Ganga — and four other TV licenses.

ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka, in a statement said, “We are pleased to announce this acquisition which further adds to our expanding universe of general entertainment channels. BIG Magic gives us access to comedy genre enhancing our customer offerings. BIG Ganga syncs with our strategy of expanding into the regional markets, which offer attractive growth potential.”

According to Reliance Capital ED and Group CEO Sam Ghosh, “We are happy to divest 100 per cent of our general entertainment TV business to Zee Entertainment. This transaction is part of our strategy to reduce exposure in non-core businesses and work towards further reducing debt under Reliance Capital.”

The final acquisitions are subject to regulatory approvals and could take a year to be completed.

November 23, 2016
ZEEL to acquire Reliance entertainment TV business

MUMBAI: After selling its sports telecast business to Sony, the Subhash Chandra-led Zee group is on an acquisition spree. Two separate developments today saw Zee, through two different corporate entities, take full control of the general entertainment TV business and 49 per cent stake in the radio business of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance ADA group.

With these developments, speculation too has been proved correct that Anil Ambani’s Reliance is fast reducing its exposure in the media sector. Some other group companies of Ambani also control a DTH operation run under the brand name Reliance BIG TV. Reliance Capital informed the stock exchanges that by shedding its radio and TV assets it will reduce its debt by approximately Rs. 1,900 crore (US$ 283 million) upon final completion of stake sale transactions.

The board of directors of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) today approved the acquisition of the general entertainment broadcasting business of Reliance Big Broadcasting Private Limited, Big Magic Limited and Azalia Broadcast Private Limited, all part of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group Entities.

The acquisition has been facilitated through a scheme of demerger and execution of definitive agreements in relation to such proposed acquisition. The general entertainment TV broadcasting business undertaking, along with its assets, liabilities, licenses, trademarks etc., shall get demerged from BIG Magic Ltd, Reliance Big Broadcasting Private Ltd and Azalia Broadcast Private Ltd into ZEEL through a court-approved scheme.

The TV broadcasting business of Reliance Group entities currently comprises two operational general entertainment channels — Hindi comedy channel BIG Magic and Bhojpuri-language GEC BIG Ganga — and four other TV licenses.

ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka, in a statement said, “We are pleased to announce this acquisition which further adds to our expanding universe of general entertainment channels. BIG Magic gives us access to comedy genre enhancing our customer offerings. BIG Ganga syncs with our strategy of expanding into the regional markets, which offer attractive growth potential.”

According to Reliance Capital ED and Group CEO Sam Ghosh, “We are happy to divest 100 per cent of our general entertainment TV business to Zee Entertainment. This transaction is part of our strategy to reduce exposure in non-core businesses and work towards further reducing debt under Reliance Capital.”

The final acquisitions are subject to regulatory approvals and could take a year to be completed.

November 23, 2016
DishTV launches Kids Active in partnership with Shemaroo

MUMBAI: Value added services has been a focus area, a clear differentiator and an integral part of our offering. By not leaving any stone unturned in order to provide a wide range of content and services to its subscribers, DishTV Asia’s largest DTH brand has partnered with Shemaroo, one of India’s leading entertainment content houses that provides learning and entertainment to launch a new premium service called Kids Active and enhanced its bouquet of value added services to 10.

With the launch of Kids Active service, the DTH category’s most trusted brand has doubled their active services since last six months. Kids Active offers original content ranging from exciting stories, movies, songs, scientific experiment series and many more shows.

Kids Active is packaged 24X7, ad free infotainment service for kids in the age group of 6-12 years. With the activation of the service, subscribers get an opportunity to view Tales of Akbar & Birbal in English, animation songs, jungle tales, children’s movies and show promos, Grandpas treasure of wonderful stories and fun learning with scientific experiments.

DishTV CEO said, “We are delighted to announce our specialty offering targeted at the youngest generation. Kids segment is an area which is constantly in focus for us. Launch of Kids Active service is yet another step for us to enhance our value added services portfolio and cater to a wider set of audience.”

Kids Active is a premium ad free subscription based service targeted at enhancing the TV viewing of DishTV’s young subscribers. This service will be available as a free preview till the 24 October, after which a nominal amount of Rs 25 per month will be charged. This Kids Active service will be available on channel number 514 on DishTV.

Dish TV is Asia Pacific’s largest direct-to-home (DTH) company and part of one of India’s biggest media conglomerate – the ‘Zee’ Group. Dish TV has on its platform more than 575 channels & services including 22 audio channels and over 55 HD channels & services. Dish TV uses the NSS-6 satellite platform which is unique in the Indian subcontinent owing to its automated power control and contoured beam which makes it suitable for use in ITU K and N rain zones ideally suited for India’s tropical climate. The company also has transponders on the Asiasat 5 platform and on the SES-8 platform which makes its total bandwidth capacity equal to 828 MHZ, the largest held by any DTH player in the country.

October 20, 2016
DishTV launches Kids Active in partnership with Shemaroo

MUMBAI: Value added services has been a focus area, a clear differentiator and an integral part of our offering. By not leaving any stone unturned in order to provide a wide range of content and services to its subscribers, DishTV Asia’s largest DTH brand has partnered with Shemaroo, one of India’s leading entertainment content houses that provides learning and entertainment to launch a new premium service called Kids Active and enhanced its bouquet of value added services to 10.

With the launch of Kids Active service, the DTH category’s most trusted brand has doubled their active services since last six months. Kids Active offers original content ranging from exciting stories, movies, songs, scientific experiment series and many more shows.

Kids Active is packaged 24X7, ad free infotainment service for kids in the age group of 6-12 years. With the activation of the service, subscribers get an opportunity to view Tales of Akbar & Birbal in English, animation songs, jungle tales, children’s movies and show promos, Grandpas treasure of wonderful stories and fun learning with scientific experiments.

DishTV CEO said, “We are delighted to announce our specialty offering targeted at the youngest generation. Kids segment is an area which is constantly in focus for us. Launch of Kids Active service is yet another step for us to enhance our value added services portfolio and cater to a wider set of audience.”

Kids Active is a premium ad free subscription based service targeted at enhancing the TV viewing of DishTV’s young subscribers. This service will be available as a free preview till the 24 October, after which a nominal amount of Rs 25 per month will be charged. This Kids Active service will be available on channel number 514 on DishTV.

Dish TV is Asia Pacific’s largest direct-to-home (DTH) company and part of one of India’s biggest media conglomerate – the ‘Zee’ Group. Dish TV has on its platform more than 575 channels & services including 22 audio channels and over 55 HD channels & services. Dish TV uses the NSS-6 satellite platform which is unique in the Indian subcontinent owing to its automated power control and contoured beam which makes it suitable for use in ITU K and N rain zones ideally suited for India’s tropical climate. The company also has transponders on the Asiasat 5 platform and on the SES-8 platform which makes its total bandwidth capacity equal to 828 MHZ, the largest held by any DTH player in the country.

October 20, 2016
TV9 network on sale; Zee group front-runner?

MUMBAI: Consolidation in the Indian news television business is but a foregone conclusion, thanks to the plethora of channels operating in the space. The only question is when and who.

Well, here’s another news television network which is possibly on the auctioneer’s table. Associated Broadcasting Co Pvt Ltd is reportedly looking for a buyer for its seven regional TV news channel bouquet under the TV9 brand, says a report by Business Standard this morning. ABCL employs over 5000 people across three countries.

The report also quotes TV9 founder & CEO Ravi Prakash saying that “private equity investors typically follow a seven-year horizon for their exit strategy while our investors stayed with the company for 12 years. We have been in touch with a couple of people for possible stake sale. But no final decision has been taken till now.”

The front-runner in this stake sale is reportedly the cash-rich Subhash Chandra-run Zee TV group.

The investors of TV 9 had reportedly been seeking the right valuation for a majority stake sale and Zee seems to be up for it. The Zee group is likely to purchase a majority stake in ABCL, the Hyderabad-based media firm, which owns the TV9 brand.

Chintalapati Srinivasa Raju, a venture capitalist, owns around 60 per cent of ABCL, Saif Partners, the US-based private equity firm, holds around 20 per cent while TV9 CEO and ABCL founder Ravi Prakash and his associates own the remaining 20 per cent stake.

Under CEO Ravi Prakash’s leadership, ABCL’s mission has been to continually advance and improve the dissemination and quality of news and bring to viewers media services in their local languages. ABCL covers television, filmed entertainment, cable network programming, internet services operating direct broadcast satellite television, in India, United States of America and Africa.

ABCL CFO MKVN Murthy brought to TV9 rich acumen gained decades of experience in the entertainment and communications industry. In addition, he has a deep understanding of the ins and outs of cable and satellite distribution platforms. Murthy has been the lead player in the company’s aggressive expansion to new markets in Karnataka, Gujarat, Mumbai and its partnership forays into Kerala and Kolkata.

Saif Partners and Raju have reportedly been waiting for the expected valuations to sell their ABCL stake for quite some time now.

Incorporated in May, 2003, ABCL had started with first 24-hour Telugu news channel under TV9 in the following year and expanded subsequently to other regional languages. It currently runs seven news channels including the TV9 Kannada, TV 9 Marathi and the popular TV 9 Gujarati news.

The deal between the promoters of ABCL and Zee Group is expected to be closed in a couple of months, sources said. Zee was one of the four companies that had signed NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) with the promoters of ABCL some time ago, a senior ABCL official said.

Zee group, which runs 35 news and entertainment channels in Hindi, English and other major languages, had closed down its Telugu news channel around four years ago. The potential purchase TV 9 may give Zee an opportunity to re-enter the Telugu market on the strength of a strong local brand and would also help it to expand its presence in important markets such as Gujarat, the Business Standard report explains.

Srini Raju had promoted iLabs Capital (which later became Peepul Capital LLC) had invested around Rs 80 crore in ABCL’s first round of funding in 2004. Saif Partners acquired 20 per cent stake from Peepul in 2009.

ABCL is committed to professional and social journalism. This is reflected in its dynamic style of news coverage and the corporate social responsibility work undertaken by the various TV9 channels in India and through Simba Television Network in Africa.

Ravi started the first TV9 channel in Telugu which changed the dynamics of media and breaking news in Andhra Pradesh. Named as the “catalyst for progressive change”, Ravi’s news network has consistently focused on how media can facilitate a fair, equal modern society through its news and programming. Known for his impeccable anchoring skills his programme “encounter” an interview based political show has been widely appreciated for its analytical and presentational style.

September 27, 2016
TV9 network on sale; Zee group front-runner?

MUMBAI: Consolidation in the Indian news television business is but a foregone conclusion, thanks to the plethora of channels operating in the space. The only question is when and who.

Well, here’s another news television network which is possibly on the auctioneer’s table. Associated Broadcasting Co Pvt Ltd is reportedly looking for a buyer for its seven regional TV news channel bouquet under the TV9 brand, says a report by Business Standard this morning. ABCL employs over 5000 people across three countries.

The report also quotes TV9 founder & CEO Ravi Prakash saying that “private equity investors typically follow a seven-year horizon for their exit strategy while our investors stayed with the company for 12 years. We have been in touch with a couple of people for possible stake sale. But no final decision has been taken till now.”

The front-runner in this stake sale is reportedly the cash-rich Subhash Chandra-run Zee TV group.

The investors of TV 9 had reportedly been seeking the right valuation for a majority stake sale and Zee seems to be up for it. The Zee group is likely to purchase a majority stake in ABCL, the Hyderabad-based media firm, which owns the TV9 brand.

Chintalapati Srinivasa Raju, a venture capitalist, owns around 60 per cent of ABCL, Saif Partners, the US-based private equity firm, holds around 20 per cent while TV9 CEO and ABCL founder Ravi Prakash and his associates own the remaining 20 per cent stake.

Under CEO Ravi Prakash’s leadership, ABCL’s mission has been to continually advance and improve the dissemination and quality of news and bring to viewers media services in their local languages. ABCL covers television, filmed entertainment, cable network programming, internet services operating direct broadcast satellite television, in India, United States of America and Africa.

ABCL CFO MKVN Murthy brought to TV9 rich acumen gained decades of experience in the entertainment and communications industry. In addition, he has a deep understanding of the ins and outs of cable and satellite distribution platforms. Murthy has been the lead player in the company’s aggressive expansion to new markets in Karnataka, Gujarat, Mumbai and its partnership forays into Kerala and Kolkata.

Saif Partners and Raju have reportedly been waiting for the expected valuations to sell their ABCL stake for quite some time now.

Incorporated in May, 2003, ABCL had started with first 24-hour Telugu news channel under TV9 in the following year and expanded subsequently to other regional languages. It currently runs seven news channels including the TV9 Kannada, TV 9 Marathi and the popular TV 9 Gujarati news.

The deal between the promoters of ABCL and Zee Group is expected to be closed in a couple of months, sources said. Zee was one of the four companies that had signed NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) with the promoters of ABCL some time ago, a senior ABCL official said.

Zee group, which runs 35 news and entertainment channels in Hindi, English and other major languages, had closed down its Telugu news channel around four years ago. The potential purchase TV 9 may give Zee an opportunity to re-enter the Telugu market on the strength of a strong local brand and would also help it to expand its presence in important markets such as Gujarat, the Business Standard report explains.

Srini Raju had promoted iLabs Capital (which later became Peepul Capital LLC) had invested around Rs 80 crore in ABCL’s first round of funding in 2004. Saif Partners acquired 20 per cent stake from Peepul in 2009.

ABCL is committed to professional and social journalism. This is reflected in its dynamic style of news coverage and the corporate social responsibility work undertaken by the various TV9 channels in India and through Simba Television Network in Africa.

Ravi started the first TV9 channel in Telugu which changed the dynamics of media and breaking news in Andhra Pradesh. Named as the “catalyst for progressive change”, Ravi’s news network has consistently focused on how media can facilitate a fair, equal modern society through its news and programming. Known for his impeccable anchoring skills his programme “encounter” an interview based political show has been widely appreciated for its analytical and presentational style.

September 27, 2016
Network18’s Joy Chakraborthy gets additional role as Forbes India CEO

MUMBAI: Joy Chakraborthy gets added responsibility as Forbes India CEO at Network18. Two months, Chakraborthy joined Network18 as president for revenue and business development in May 2016 and now he will be overseeing Forbes India as well.

Chakraborthy comes with over twenty years of experience in the media industry and has worked across top companies such as the Times Group, where he was director-response handling the biggest revenue portfolio. Prior to that, he headed the Zee group as executive director in charge of revenues, channel placement and the entire niche channel business portfolio. He also served TV Today network as CEO soon after the Zee stint. He has also spent his early years as executive vice president at Star India for six years heading advertising sales of all the channels.

Graduated from the National Defense Academy with a Master’s degree in marketing management from NMIMS. He has also completed Advanced Management Programme from the Harvard Business School.

July 13, 2016
Network18’s Joy Chakraborthy gets additional role as Forbes India CEO

MUMBAI: Joy Chakraborthy gets added responsibility as Forbes India CEO at Network18. Two months, Chakraborthy joined Network18 as president for revenue and business development in May 2016 and now he will be overseeing Forbes India as well.

Chakraborthy comes with over twenty years of experience in the media industry and has worked across top companies such as the Times Group, where he was director-response handling the biggest revenue portfolio. Prior to that, he headed the Zee group as executive director in charge of revenues, channel placement and the entire niche channel business portfolio. He also served TV Today network as CEO soon after the Zee stint. He has also spent his early years as executive vice president at Star India for six years heading advertising sales of all the channels.

Graduated from the National Defense Academy with a Master’s degree in marketing management from NMIMS. He has also completed Advanced Management Programme from the Harvard Business School.

July 13, 2016
MIB’s clearance of 21 more TV channels takes tally to 890

New Delhi: With clearance to twenty-one more private satellite television channels in the past two months, the total number has risen to 890 of which news and current affairs channels number 401.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said it had given permission to 1028 channels but later cancelled permission to 138.

With five more channels getting permission in May, the number of general entertainment channels is 489 as on 31 May.

Twenty channels including seven news channels have been permitted to uplink from India but not downlink within the country and there has been no change in this category.

A total of 774 channels including 395 GECs are allowed to uplink and downlink in the country while 96 including 81 GECs are uplinked from overseas but allowed to downlink into TV homes in the country.

After 31 March, the news channels cleared are: News18 Goa, News18 Tamil Nadu, News18 Kerala, News18 Punjab, News18 J&K and News18 Assam/North East of the TV18 Broadcast Ltd; and ETV HD of Eenadu TV Pvt Ltd.

The Non-News channels cleared are & Youth HD and & Music from the Zee Group; Nationcast, NXT, ZAP, Powerplay and UPLEX from Viacom 18; DHAMMAL GUJJUU of Sab Global Entertainment Pvt Ltd; SIX 2 of Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd,; Goodness TV of Goodnews Channel Pvt. Ltd; MK Tunes and MK Six of Madurai Krishan Network Pvt. Ltd; Sai Sabha of Sai Babha Network Pvt. Ltd; and Shubh Cinema of Shubh Media Pvt. Ltd

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry site (mib.nic.in) also contains the full details of the owners of these channels, the languages in which they will beam, and the date on which the clearance came. However, there are no details of channels denied permission.

June 8, 2016
MIB’s clearance of 21 more TV channels takes tally to 890

New Delhi: With clearance to twenty-one more private satellite television channels in the past two months, the total number has risen to 890 of which news and current affairs channels number 401.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said it had given permission to 1028 channels but later cancelled permission to 138.

With five more channels getting permission in May, the number of general entertainment channels is 489 as on 31 May.

Twenty channels including seven news channels have been permitted to uplink from India but not downlink within the country and there has been no change in this category.

A total of 774 channels including 395 GECs are allowed to uplink and downlink in the country while 96 including 81 GECs are uplinked from overseas but allowed to downlink into TV homes in the country.

After 31 March, the news channels cleared are: News18 Goa, News18 Tamil Nadu, News18 Kerala, News18 Punjab, News18 J&K and News18 Assam/North East of the TV18 Broadcast Ltd; and ETV HD of Eenadu TV Pvt Ltd.

The Non-News channels cleared are & Youth HD and & Music from the Zee Group; Nationcast, NXT, ZAP, Powerplay and UPLEX from Viacom 18; DHAMMAL GUJJUU of Sab Global Entertainment Pvt Ltd; SIX 2 of Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd,; Goodness TV of Goodnews Channel Pvt. Ltd; MK Tunes and MK Six of Madurai Krishan Network Pvt. Ltd; Sai Sabha of Sai Babha Network Pvt. Ltd; and Shubh Cinema of Shubh Media Pvt. Ltd

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry site (mib.nic.in) also contains the full details of the owners of these channels, the languages in which they will beam, and the date on which the clearance came. However, there are no details of channels denied permission.

June 8, 2016