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Tag: Zee News

  • Zee News Ltd Q4 revenue up 47 % at Rs 690 million

    MUMBAI: Zee News Limited (ZNL) has posted a standalone fourth quarter revenue of Rs 690.3 million, representing a 47 per cent growth as compared to the proforma numbers for the corresponding quarter last fiscal.

    The operating profit for the quarter stood at Rs 8.5 million, after expensing of initial investments in new businesses, amounting to Rs 154 million. The corresponding quarter last fiscal, as per proforma numbers, showed a loss of Rs 44 million.

    Profit before tax for the quarter ended 31 March 2007 was Rs 21.2 million while net profit was Rs 13.1 million, the company stated in a release.

    Consolidated operating revenues for the fourth quarter stood at Rs 710.6 million while consolidated operating loss was Rs 9.2 million.

    For the fiscal ended 31 March 2007, ZNL’s revenues grew 41.5 per cent to Rs 2.36 billion.

    Commenting on the results Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra said, “ZNL has shown robust advertising and subscription growths of 37 per cent and 45 per cent respectively during the quarter While the existing businesses of the company have sustained the growth momentum, the new businesses are also showing encouraging viewership trends. This should stand us in good stead for the future. Digitalization should also enable our channels to garner good subscription revenues in future.”

    Added Zee News Ltd CEO Harish Doraiswamy, “We are pleased to report that excluding new business losses, our operating margins have improved from 18 per cent last year to 30 per cent this year.”

    Ad revenue grows 37 per cent

    ZNL’s advertising revenues increased to Rs 467.2 million, a 37 per cent growth as compared to the corresponding fourth quarter proforma numbers of last fiscal. “This growth in advertising revenues was a result of better yield and inventory utilization,” the company said.

    Subscription revenues grew 45 per cent at Rs 146.8 million. “Direct-to-home (DTH) services contributed significantly to the growth in subscription revenues,” Zee News said.

  • Star TV office in Mumbai ransacked

    MUMBAI: An irate mob belonging to a little known organisation called Hindu Rashtriya Sena ransacked the Star TV office in Mumbai today, smashing cars parked outside the office and also damaging the office itself. The motive: anger over a programme showing a Muslim youth and a Hindu minor girl who had eloped.

    Star News issued a statement condemning the incident: “We condemn this attack on our office by certain anti-social elements. They completely ransacked the Star News Office in Mumbai today, injuring our security & other staff and causing huge financial damage. It is alarming that people are using such means to register their protests. We believe that this is in reaction to our coverage about a young eloped couple from Surat. As a responsible news channel we have factually reported the situations surrounding the same. We will cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure that necessary action is taken.”

    Meanhwile, Mumbai Police Commissioner of DN Jhadav said, “A little known group Hindu Rashtriya Sena was behind the attack. We have detained 35 people in the case. We will take all legal action.”

    Maharashtra Deputy CM and Home Minister RR Patil promised to get tough against the miscreants stating that “such strict action would be taken against these people (to ensure) that such an action is never repeated.”

    Star News CEO Uday Shankar, however, remained unconvinced by Patil’s assurances. Shankar lambasted the role of the authorities such incidents when he pointed out that such acts were becoming increasingly common because there has never been any serious action taken in the past against any of these groups.

    Said Shankar, “The most disturbing part of this whole episode is the kind of intolerance that political groups can resort to and the kind of dispute resolution mechanism that is becoming increasingly popular across India where anything that a media organisation says or prints that is remotely unpalatable to an organisation or individual and you will see their supporters and goons ransacking everything.”

    Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi also weighed in, terming the attack on Star as an assault on democracy and demanded that the state government bring the culprits to book.

    It is worth noting here that on 9 February, 2006, a mob of over 100 Shiv Sainiks, raising slogans of Shiv Sena chief Bal Tackeray, had pelted stones at a Zee News office and had ransacked the property in protest against the telecast of a play on Zee Alpha Marathi channel.

    In that attack several Zee News employees were also injured, with a few of them having been rushed to a nearby hospital.

  • Sahara appoints Ernst & Young for restructuring news business

    Sahara appoints Ernst & Young for restructuring news business

    MUMBAI: Sahara supremo Subroto Roy is looking at restructuring his loss-making news channel business and has asked for suggestions from consulting firm Ernst & Young.

    Sahara’s bouquet of six news channels are sinking in losses of around Rs 1 billion a year, a source close to the company says. “Ernst & Young has been appointed to come up with recommendations for restructuring the operations. There is no mandate to find an investor. Clearly, the whole exercise is to make the venture profitable,” he adds.

    The Hindi news space is dominated by four channels (Aaj Tak, Star News, NDTV India and Zee News) which together garner close to 70 per cent market share in viewership, making the fragmentation at the lower end among several players tough for Sahara Samay Rashtriya.

    And it is not just the national news but also the region and city-specific channels (Sahara Samay Mumbai, Sahara Samay Bihar & Jharkhand, Sahara Samay Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh, and Sahara Samay Uttar Pradesh & Uttranchal and Sahara Samay NCR) that are struggling to stay profitable.

    According to the source, Ernst & Young has recommended a revamp of the business in the areas of operations, ad sales and content. Each channel should have a business head whose role should be properly defined, the consulting firm has suggested. The operations should also be streamlined and structured for more efficient running.

    Under the existing structure, each of the six channels has an ad sales head who reports to a three-member core committee. Since mid-2006 Sahara has done away with a national ad sales head. The distribution team also reports to this committee.

    “Ernst & Young has made a presentation of its recommendations recently. It has not yet been decided what Sahara would adopt,” the source says.

    Earlier, Ernst & Young had submitted a valuation report on Sahara One Media & Entertainment Ltd, the company that runs the Hindi general entertainment channel Sahara One and the motion pictures business. Later in April 2006, NRI businessman C Sivasankaran acquired 14.98 per cent stake in the company for Rs 1.2 billion.

     

  • Zee launches Marathi news channel

    Zee launches Marathi news channel

    NEW DELHI: Zee News Ltd. has launched its Marathi news channel Zee 24 Taas as part of a “region-specific strategy.” This is the country’s first 24-hour news channel in Marathi.

    Says Zee News Ltd managing director Laxmi Narain Goel, “The news businesses of Zee group have had a history of ‘firsts’. Zee News is the first 24-hour Hindi news channel, Zee Business is the first 24 hour Hindi business channel, and now Zee 24 Taas continues the tradition by becoming the first 24 hour Marathi news channel.”

    Adds Zee News chief executive officer Harish Doraiswamy, “The launch followed careful thinking and a whole slew of researches in the market. Obviously, our understanding of Marathi viewer preferences through our experience of Zee Marathi helped us a great deal. I am sure the channel’s content and its presentation will appeal to the discerning Marathi audience.”

    Zee Network chairman Subhash Chandra had announced the launch of Zee’s Marathi news channel at the Zee Gaurav Awards on 5 February. The channel is already a strong player in the GEC with Zee Marathi.

    Zee News Ltd. is building a cluster of news, current affairs and regional channels. The company’s offerings include Zee News, Zee Business, Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Punjabi, Zee Gujarati, Zee Telugu, Zee Kannada, 24 Ghanta and now, Zee 24 Taas. It also provides news and entertainment content to Zee in USA, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific, the company said in a statement.

  • Zee News net profit Rs 93 million

    Zee News net profit Rs 93 million

    MUMBAI: Zee News Limited (ZNL) today reported nine months revenues of Rs 1,665 million representing a 39 per cent growth over the corresponding period in the previous fiscal, compared on proforma numbers.

    Overall net profit stood at Rs 93 million.

    Subhash Chandra, chairman, stated, “Zee News Limited finished the nine months with a good performance, highlighted by strong advertising revenue growth of 54 per cent and robust operating profit growth of 179 per cent. We believe that Zee News Limited has the potential to grow into a media giant with a regional focus.”

    “We are extremely pleased to see the steady steps towards digitization of the Indian cable and satellite industry. CAS has been successfully implemented in the notified areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. With more subscribers opting for digital services even in other parts of the country, it will give a big boost to our subscription revenues in the near future. All these have extremely positive and long term impact on our business given that most of our channels are pay.” Chandra added.

    Commenting on the restructuring exercise, Chandra continued, “The restructuring exercise for ZNL is now complete. ZNL is ready to exploit the vast emerging opportunities and will deliver long term shareholder value.”

  • WWIL, Zee News begin trading; price range as per market expectations

    WWIL, Zee News begin trading; price range as per market expectations

    MUMBAI: The debut performance of Wire & Wireless India Ltd (WWIL) and Zee News Ltd (ZNL), Zee Group’s demerged entities, on the boursess was along market expectation lines.

    Though WWIL, the cable distribution company, opened at the BSE much lower at Rs 80, it inched up to touch a high of Rs 139.80 before closing the day at Rs 120.80. Putting their faith on digitalisation, analysts had predicted the scrip to trade in the region of Rs 120-140.

    ZNL, on the other hand, opened higher at Rs 50 even as the market had expected it to be valued at Rs 35. The scrip touched a high of Rs 58.85 before tapering off to a low of Rs 33.65 and closing Wednesday’s trading at Rs 34.40.

    Speaking to a business channel, Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra said WWIL would touch a revenue of Rs 10 billion in 12 months but the company would still not be profitable as it is in an investment mode. The multi-system operator (MSO) has already seeded 155000 set-top boxes (STBs) in the Cas (conditional access system) areas, enjoying a 50 per cent market share.

    ZNL should end the current fiscal with a revenue of Rs 1.8-2 billion and the target in five years is to have a turnover of around Rs 10 billion, Chandra said. The company is planning to launch a Marathi news channel this month.

    Meanwhile, another media and entertainment company listed on the bourses today. Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision closed at a premium of Rs 228, or 42 per cent higher from its IPO price.

  • Zee News announces wrap up content for the year

    Zee News announces wrap up content for the year

    MUMBAI: Zee News bids adieu to 2006 with a set of programmes which will focus on major happenings of the year that made to the headlines.

    The year, the channel notes, has pocketed some historical moments like decisions on Jesica Lall murder case, Parliament Blast Case, Priyanka Mattoo, Rahul Mahajan and so on.

    To cherish the memories of the going year and to welcome the New Year, the channel has lined up some programmes like Naqli No.1, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Astrology Show, Ramrajya 2007 and Little Champs ka New Year. Naqli No 1 is a mimicry show where a competition of chosen mimicry artistes across the country will happen. It will be shown in two parts. Judges will select the winner, who will be called Naqli No. 1 of the year. He will be awarded with a trophy and a prize.

    Jo Jeeta Wo Siqandar is about the famous personalities of the year who, by persevering in their lives, inspires many people. There are going to 4 personalities who will be showcased namely Sourav Ganguly, Mahajan’s family, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt.

    The channel’s astrological show will have two astrologers who would predict the future of famous politicians, cricketers and film stars for 2007. Ramrajya 2007 will be a stand up comedy show by Laughter Challenge runner up Rajiv Nigam. He will present a stand up comedy on bringing Ramrajya in today’s world. To welcome 2007, Little Champs are going to sing songs with a futuristic appeal. It will also show an exclusive recording of a special Little Champs event in Mumbai.

    The programming mix of Zee News for New Year will also cover various celebration parties happening in different parts of the country on the night of 31 December

  • Incablenet announces Rs 1500 STB scheme with free subscription for six months

    Incablenet announces Rs 1500 STB scheme with free subscription for six months

    MUMBAI: The price war is on. Hinduja-owned Incablenet announced its bouquet options to subscribers in the Cas (conditional access system) areas of Mumbai and Delhi, retaliating against rival offers from direct-to-home (DTH) service providers and other multi-system operators (MSOs).

    Subscribers can own their digital set-top box (STB) at Rs 1500 (plus taxes) and will be provided free cable TV subscription for six months on three bouquet packages. Incidentally, DTH operator Tata Sky has come out with an offer in Cas areas of free subscription for six months if customers book during the period 28 December-10 January.

    For those who want Incablenet’s Sitara (Star) package, 18 pay channels will be available including all the 12 Star India distributed channels. Besides CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNN-IBN and BBC, customers will have the liberty to choose a single channel each from the Zee-Turner and SET-Discovery bouquets.

    In the Sona (Gold) package, Incablenet is offering 20 channels. This includes 13 Sony channels, CNN-IBN, CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz and two channels each from the Zee-Turner and Star bouquets.

    The Zabardast scheme has on offer 35 channels which include 33 Zee channels. Sunscribers can also choose a single channel each from the Sony and Star bouquets.

    Neither of the three packages have sports channels included in them. “We are offering consumers total choice from all the three distribution platorms. They can select a Star-loaded or Sony or Zee package. We have covered all the categories and consumers can plan their monthly cable bills,” said IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd director-in-charge Ravi Mansukhani.

    Wire & Wireless Ltd (WWIL) has on offer outright purchase of STBs for Rs 1800 inclusive of a one-year subscription for 33 channels. These include a load of Zee-Turner and SET-Discovery distributed channels like Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Smile, Zee News, Zee Trendz, Zee Jagran, Sony, Discovery, Animal Planet, Animax, Pix, Sab and MTV. Only Star Plus from the Star bouquet is being offered. BBC, CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz and Cartoon Network are also available in this package.

    “We have a complete package including the regional channels. In Mumbai we are offering Zee Marathi while in Delhi it is Zee Punjabi and in Kolkata Zee Bangla. ETV Urdu and ETV Telugu are also available while consumers have a choice to take any other ETV channel of their choice. For Mumbai, ETV Marathi is free,” said WWIL CEO Jagjit Kohli.

    Under the STB rental scheme, Incablenet is offering the Optimiser package at Rs 120 which will have the Star and Sony bouquets. For the second TV set, the subscription is Rs 55.

    In the Super Saver scheme, the Star, Sony and Zee bouquets are available at a price of Rs 190. The second TV set will be priced at Rs 100.

    Subscribers do not have to pay a deposit amount on the Rs 45 rental scheme, Mansukhani said.

    Hathway Cable & Datacom has not come out with an outright purchase scheme for the STBs. Neither has the MSO included the Zee-Turner channels in its packages. “We haven’t decided yet on the STB purchase scheme. As for the Zee channels, once we arrive at a settlement with them, we will be creating a new package,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO K Jayaraman.

  • Zee News to launch two interactive shows

    Zee News to launch two interactive shows

    MUMBAI: Zee News is coming up with two interactive discussion programmes this weekend, Kitna Bole Baba and Main Azaad Hoon.

    These programmes will primarily focus on two issues – Have religious gurus become the role models of the society today; and Is the society in Gujarat accepting the liberal women. Viewers can send in their queries through SMS.

    The two programmes have been designed in a way to have the highest possible viewer’s interactivity. Main Azaad Hoon initiates the discussion on today’s liberal attitude of women, whereas it is commoner’s increasing dependency on the religious gurus takes the center stage in Kitna Bole Baba.

    The programmes are aimed at clarifying the prevailing misconceptions about the issues. Kitna Bole Baba will focus the society’s current mindset of making larger than life picture of their religious gurus.

    It is going to be a discussion between today’s famous gurus and the social scientists with a view to bring a clearer picture of the thought process the gurus put in, while advising their disciples in their day to day affairs. It will be telecast on 23 December at 8 pm.

    Main Azaad Hoon will focus on the pragmatic situations, which today’s women often find them into. From having a boyfriend to having an extra marital affair, no question is going to be hypothetical, asserts an official release.

    The discussion will further cover the morality factor in the women’s action from society’s viewpoint. Apart from survey and field stories, the guests in the studio will also contribute with their views. Guests would include some social activists, young girls and a psychologist. This will be telecast on 24 December at 8 pm. The survey was conducted in four cities – Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot.

    A deep research was conducted, before zeroing down on these topics. The channel has been frequently providing a platform to discuss the important topics, which will pave way to an open-minded society, adds the release.

  • Zee News Ltd targets 25 January for Marathi news channel launch, appoints Doraiswamy as CEO of company

    Zee News Ltd targets 25 January for Marathi news channel launch, appoints Doraiswamy as CEO of company

    MUMBAI: Zee News Ltd. (ZNL), the demerged company of Zee Telefilms which houses the news and regional channels, is targeting 25 January as the launch date of its Marathi news channel.

    Harish Doraiswamy, who was earlier looking after the travel business of Oberoi and head of business development in IMG, has joined ZNL as its chief executive officer. Doraiswamy was also working with Adidas India as chief operating officer.

    Laxmi N Goel will be the managing director of ZNL. He has relinquished his executive position as whole-time director of ZNL He will continue to be the director of ZNL in his non-executive capacity.

    “We are launching the Marathi news channel on 25 January,” Goel tells Indiantelevision.com. He also confirmed that Doraiswamy has joined ZNL as CEO.

    Indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that Zee was planning to launch a Marathi news channel, 24 Tas (24 hours). The projected investment for this venture would be Rs 1 billion over a three-year, Goel had said.

    The induction of a CEO comes in the wake of the demerger of Zee’s news and regional channels business into ZNL. Zee had earlier announced that ZNL would get listed on the bourses in January.

    ZNL plans to launch a slew of channels including a Tamil and a Malayalam channel to complete its presence in the southern language states. “We will be launching the Marathi news channel this fiscal. Any other launches will happen only in the next financial year,” says Doraiswamy.