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Tag: Zee

  • NDTV gets real about artificial intelligence with new AI squad

    NDTV gets real about artificial intelligence with new AI squad

    MUMBAI: NDTV is placing its bets on silicon rather than scribes, announcing the formation of a dedicated artificial intelligence team to shake up its digital media game. The news broadcaster has enlisted Aayushman Choudhary, a tech entrepreneur with startup scars and coding credentials, to head up the new unit as head of AI.

    Chief product officer Rohan Tyagi, who has done his rounds at TikTok, Triller and Zee, is clearly betting that algorithms can do more than just sort cat videos. The AI team will focus on three key battlegrounds: automating journalism workflows and mining audience insights, supercharging personalisation engines, and cooking up fresh revenue streams powered by machine learning.

    Choudhary brings a mixed bag of entrepreneurial adventures to the newsroom. The Delhi-based techie spent a year building his own venture, Underhive Inc, before NDTV came calling in May. His CV reads like a startup hopscotch game—co-founding photo editing firm AfterShoot, doing a stint as head of technology at gaming platform Winbee, and even moonlighting as an entrepreneur in residence at venture capital firm Antler.

    The appointment signals NDTV’s recognition that the future of news lies not just in breaking stories but in breaking code. With traditional media houses scrambling to stay relevant in the digital arms race, the broadcaster is hoping artificial intelligence might just provide the human touch it needs to connect with audiences.

    Whether Choudhary can teach machines to sniff out scoops remains to be seen, but NDTV is clearly ready to let the robots have a crack at reinventing the newsroom.

  • Zee rebrands as a content and tech powerhouse with ‘Yours Truly, Z’ promise

    Zee rebrands as a content and tech powerhouse with ‘Yours Truly, Z’ promise

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zee) has unveiled a fresh, tech-infused brand universe as it repositions itself as a content and technology powerhouse. With a sharp focus on blending content with cutting-edge technology, the company has set its sights on enhanced performance, profitability, and global reach.

    Zee’s new brand identity, headlined by the promise ‘Yours Truly, Z,’ is a blend of bold design, vibrant colours, and heartfelt storytelling. It’s not just a facelift; it’s a complete transformation aimed at offering immersive experiences across entertainment platforms. The sleek, adaptive design reflects Zee’s legacy of three decades while embracing the aspirations of young India.

    Zee brandA letter from the brand to its stakeholders adds a personal touch: “I promise to make you laugh louder, dream bigger, and feel more deeply in every moment.” This emotional connect isn’t just fluff – it’s a strategic move to deepen consumer loyalty and brand affinity.

    The transformation was unveiled at the Zee Cine Awards 2025, where CEO Punit Goenka highlighted the brand’s mission to leverage technology for content creation, distribution, and monetisation. “Our new look is futuristic, dynamic, and agile, reflecting our team’s capability to capitalise on emerging opportunities,” Goenka said. “The brand promise of ‘Yours Truly, Z’ captures our consumer-centric approach and commitment to delivering meaningful experiences.”
    Zee Brand architectureUnderpinning this transformation are Zee’s core brand pillars: a purpose-driven existence, a vision to bring positive change through purposeful entertainment, and a mission to consistently deliver value to stakeholders. The company aims to enrich lives by creating extraordinary moments of optimism and togetherness.

    From its pioneering role in Indian media to becoming a global player, Zee has been an entertainment juggernaut. Now, with its fresh brand universe, it’s not just keeping up with the times – it’s setting the pace. 

    As the brand’s new identity rolls out on  8 June 2025, during the telecast of Zee Cine Awards, all eyes will be on how ‘Yours Truly, Z’ shapes the future of Indian entertainment.

  • Zee names Rohit Suri as chief human resources officer, bets on a people-powered future

    Zee names Rohit Suri as chief human resources officer, bets on a people-powered future

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Zee) has roped in Rohit Suri as its new chief human resources officer, effective 12 May 2025. Suri, who will be based in Mumbai and report directly to chief executive officer Punit Goenka, is tasked with turbocharging Zee’s human capital strategy.

    Armed with over 25 years of experience across consumer internet, technology, and media companies, Suri most recently led talent management at Netflix India. His CV boasts leadership roles across South Asia, APAC, and Europe, where he drove HR transformation, leadership development, and cultural integration.

    Goenka hailed the appointment, stating, “Human capital remains the cornerstone of our success at Zee as we progress to achieve our targeted goals for a robust future. I am glad to welcome Rohit, who joins us at a pertinent juncture, as we aim to strengthen the HR operations, people strategy and overall organisational culture to build a future-ready workplace. With his strong expertise and understanding in talent development and cultural integration especially within the media & entertainment sector, we look forward to fostering an environment of higher innovation and collaboration.”

    Suri, in his statement, said, “I am pleased to join Zee at a pivotal time as it marches forward with clear, strategic goals to define the future of the media & entertainment industry. Across the sector, Zee has always been recognized for nurturing an entrepreneurial culture and building leaders for tomorrow. I am excited to drive this momentum forward and cultivate a more performance-oriented environment that contributes meaningfully to its  overall strategic growth plans.”
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    The media powerhouse has made it clear — with Suri in charge, it’s all systems go for a high-performance, innovation-driven work culture.

  • Anupam Sengupta jumps aboard AI dub firm Camb.ai

    Anupam Sengupta jumps aboard AI dub firm Camb.ai

    MUMBAI: Anupam Sengupta, a seasoned tech heavyweight with a CV that reads like a who’s who of global giants, has taken the helm as business head for the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia at Camb.ai. This AI media tech company, fresh from a $11m funding round and eyeing a cool $75m+ by FY26, is betting big on Sengupta’s knack for driving high-impact deals and digital transformations.

    Sengupta, whose past conquests include stints at Sony Group, WPP, Zee, and Standard Chartered, isn’t just bringing his Rolodex; he’s bringing a vision. Camb.ai, based in west Asia, aims to bridge linguistic divides with AI that’s more than just a translator – it’s a cultural chameleon. It has positioned itself as the world’s most capable speech and translation AI, offering the capability for humankind to dub content into over 140 languages using proprietary AI models.

    Camb.ai  founder & CEO Avneesh Prakash articulated the company’s mission with a touch of the poetic: “As founders with deep Indian roots, we’ve seen how language can both empower and exclude. At Camb.ai, our mission is to bridge India’s linguistic diversity through advanced AI, ensuring equal access across entertainment, sports, education, and healthcare. With India and SEA emerging markets central to our strategy, we’re excited to build long-term, transformative impact.”

    Sengupta himself is equally bullish, stating, “At Camb.ai, we are pushing the frontiers of AI voice and language research—not merely translating words, but carrying emotion, intent, contextuality, and cultural nuance across languages. It’s a deeply challenging science, but one with immense potential across sectors. In these transformative times, I’m excited to build this deep tech business grounds up in Asia. Together the team is deeply committed to building long-term, sustainable value in this region where language inclusion can further unlock true cultural and economic potential.”

    In essence, Sengupta’s appointment isn’t just a career move; it’s a strategic play in Asia’s burgeoning AI landscape. Camb.ai is betting that his expertise will translate into more than just revenue; it’ll translate into a cultural revolution, one perfectly nuanced AI voice at a time.

  • DD Free Dish concludes Mpeg 2 e-Auction, securing 60 television channels for 2025-26

    DD Free Dish concludes Mpeg 2 e-Auction, securing 60 television channels for 2025-26

    MUMBAI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati  has successfully concluded its annual DD Free Dish MPEG-2 slot e-auction, allocating spaces to 60 television channels for the period of 1 April 2025, to 31 March 2026. Major broadcasters securing slots include: Sony, JioStar,  Zee, Sun TV. Some of the prominent channels on FreeDish include  names such as Colors Rishtey, Sony Pal, and several leading news channels including Aaj Tak, ABP News, and Republic TV Bharat.

    The auction process, initiated on 9 January, introduced a structured categoriastion system comprising six distinct buckets, each tailored to specific channel genres and languages. The pricing strategy implemented a two-round system, with initial reserve prices ranging from Rs 3 crore for regional channels to Rs 15 crore for Hindi/Urdu general entertainment channels. The second round saw these figures increase incrementally, with the highest bracket reaching Rs 16 crore.

    To ensure quality content delivery, Prasar Bharati has instituted a new 75 per cent alignment rule, mandating that three-quarters of a channel’s content must align with its declared genre and language. The broadcaster maintained its standard eligibility criteria, requiring participating channels to possess valid ministry of information and broadcasting permits for Indian distribution.
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    The auction’s participation structure included a Rs 1.50 crore fee for MPEG-2 slots, while MPEG-4 slots commanded Rs 3 lakhs. Notably, the framework extended participation rights to international public broadcasters operating under relevant guidelines.

    This auction follows a successful 2024 edition which generated Rs 1,156 crore through the sale of 64 slots, indicating the platform’s sustained commercial viability in India’s broadcasting landscape. The slight reduction in allocated slots from 64 to 60 suggests a possible strategic recalibration of the platform’s capacity utilisation.
    The successful conclusion of this auction reinforces DD Free Dish’s position as a significant distribution platform in India’s television market, particularly for reaching audiences in regions where paid television penetration remains limited.

  • Zee aims to replicate Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s magic with DP World ILT20

    Zee aims to replicate Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s magic with DP World ILT20

    MUMBAI: Cricket fever is officially off the charts as Season 3 of the DP World ILT20 kicks into high gear.

    The tournament has already delivered spine-tingling action, courtesy of cricket legends like Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Sam Curran, and Andre Russell, among others. And guess what? You can catch all the drama live on Zee’s 15-linear TV channels, OTT platform Zee5, and partner networks.

    Now, here’s the kicker—Zee isn’t just in it to stream cricket. They’re in it to transform the ILT20 into a blockbuster, much like their iconic Sa Re Ga Ma Pa series. The channel is doubling down on its knack for spotting and nurturing talent, this time in the world of cricket.

    In a chat with Harbhajan Singh, Zee’s chief growth officer – digital & broadcast revenue, Ashish Sehgal revealed some ambitious goals, “Season 2 was a landmark achievement where we set a benchmark, reaching 220 million viewers. For Season 3, our goal is to make it even bigger and better, and we truly believe it’s happening—right from the very first match.”

    But how does Zee plan to do it? Sehgal pointed to Zee’s history of fostering talent, “At Zee, nurturing and fostering new talents is in our DNA, as demonstrated by properties like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Season 3 is already showing massive potential, and we’re aiming to nurture this 3-year-old property into a HUGE success.”

    So, could ILT20 become cricket’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa? If Zee’s track record is anything to go by, the answer is yes.

    The tournament isn’t just about budding stars-it’s also stacked with cricketing royalty. Harbhajan Singh, with a whopping 711 international wickets, continues to bring his insights to the commentary box. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar-dubbed the “Rawalpindi Express”-is back as an ambassador, ready to electrify fans with his unmatched cricketing charisma.

    With 34 matches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah from 11 January to 9 February 2025, cricket fans have plenty to look forward to. Tune in on any of Zee’s 15 linear TV channels, including favourites like Zee Cinema HD, &Flix, and Zee Biskope.

    Six franchise teams-Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriorz-are set to battle it out for glory.

    With star-studded rosters and Zee’s entertainment expertise, the third season of ILT20 promises to be a smashing hit. The question is-will you be watching?

    Cricket, drama, and Zee-what more could you ask for? 

  • Teams and players for DP World ILT20 Season 3 announced

    Teams and players for DP World ILT20 Season 3 announced

    MUMBAI: Just two days to go! The countdown has begun for the DP World ILT20 Season 3, which will be broadcast exclusively on Zee starting 11 January at the Dubai International Stadium. The tournament kicks off with the Dubai Capitals hosting the defending champions, MI Emirates, in the opener at 8:45 PM IST. Over the next month, 34 action-packed matches will take place, concluding on 9 February 2025. These matches will also air on Dubai TV, Abu Dhabi TV, the ILT20 official YouTube channel, and Myco for viewers in the MENA region.

    The broadcaster announced the teams and their compositions on 9 January, with the flexibility for changes in case of injuries or non-availability of selected players.

    Among the key squad updates ahead of the opener, England opener Phil Salt and Pakistan left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem have joined the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Salt has been added as a wildcard, while Sufiyan replaces the unavailable Hassan Khan. Afghanistan spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has been signed by MI Emirates, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth will join the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

    Zee’s Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue, Ashish Sehgal, commented:  “Zee is delighted to unveil the impressive squad line-up for Season 3, featuring some of the world’s finest and most popular players. With iconic locations like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, world-class infrastructure, and six powerhouse franchises, our aim is to solidify the league as one of the most widely followed global cricket events. We have significantly expanded our broadcast reach by adding five more linear channels, including South Indian channels, and are excited to present this thrilling cricketing spectacle to fans across the world.”

    Cricket fans can watch the tournament on ZEE’s extensive network of 15 linear TV channels, including &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD, and &Flix HD. Additionally, the matches will be free to view on Zee5, one of India’s leading OTT platforms. Zee aims to capture a viewership of 230 million for the season.

    Here are the six DP World ILT20 Season 3 squads as of 9 January 2025:

    Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

    New Signees: Gudakesh Motie, Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Phil Salt (Wildcard), Roston Chase, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, Sufiyan Muqeem, Terrance Hinds, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth Retentions: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Gous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, Sunil Narine.

    Desert Vipers

    New Signees: Dan Lawrence (Wildcard), David Payne, Dhruv Parashar, Fakhar Zaman, Kushal Malla (replacement for injured Bas de Leede), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran (played for Vipers in Season 2 as a wildcard) Retentions: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri, Wanindu Hasaranga.

    Dubai Capitals

    New Signees: Adam Rossington (Wildcard), Aryaman Varma (replacement for Jake Fraser McGurk), Ben Dunk, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh (replacement), Farhan Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf (replacement), Shai Hope, Shahrukh Ahmed, Zeeshan Naseer Retentions: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Stone.

    Gulf Giants

    New Signees: Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall (played for Giants in Season 2 as a wildcard), Dushan Hemantha (replacement), Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Ollie Robinson (wicketkeeper-batter), Tim David, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills, Muhammad Saghir Khan, Muhammad Uzair Khan, Wahidullah Zadran Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, Shimron Hetmyer.

    MI Emirates

    New Signees: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Alzarri Joseph, Aryan Lakra, Ben Charlesworth, Fareed Ahmad, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Thomas Draca, Zahoor Khan Retentions: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Waqar Salamkheil.

    Sharjah Warriorz

    New Signees: Tim Southee (Captain), Adam Milne, Adil Rashid (played for Warriorz in Season 2 as a wildcard), Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Ethan D’Souza, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Rohan Mustafa, Tim Seifert, Traveen Mathew, Virandeep Singh Retentions: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou, Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

  • Adhishree Murdia promoted to VP-SVOD marketing at Zee5

    Adhishree Murdia promoted to VP-SVOD marketing at Zee5

    MUMBAI: She began as a marketing executive at Zee Entertainment Enterprises working on Zee MGM, Zee English and ZCafe shows in 2004 after completing her MBA in marketing from Welingkar Institute of Management in Mumbai.  20 years later Adhishree Murdia sits atop as vice-president SVoD marketing- India & global at Zee’s prized streaming product Zee5.

    It has been some growth for Murdia. But along the way she had to put in the hard yards. She worked in different marketing roles at  Turner International, BCCL, UTV Bindass before heading back to Zee in 2012 as assistant vice-president, after which she was handed the responsibility of handling marketing and the brand Living Foodz and an independent digital channel LFOriginals.

    Her success over there saw her getting to handle the brands as vice-president marketing under the Zee Marathi movie cluster of channels – Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva and Zee Chitramandir  -woking directly with the business head.

    Her nine year continuous stint and knowledge of digital at Zee resulted in her getting moved to Zee5 Global in 2022 as vice-president brand & content marketing, a post she held before being promoted this month to oversee the international domestic marketing of Zee5’s  subscription product.

    She has confessed in the past that she is a life-long learner. “Looking forward to this new opportunity,” she said on linkedin. “Embracing it with gratitude.”

    With that kind of  positive attitude, there is only direction that Zee5’s subscription revenue can head: northwards and upwards.

  • Govind Shahi set to exit Indiacast after a 12 year stint

    Govind Shahi set to exit Indiacast after a 12 year stint

    Mumbai: Highly placed sources have revealed that Govind Shahi, the International Business Head at Indiacast, is stepping down after an impressive 12-year run. Known for his leadership in steering Viacom18’s international channels to major growth, Govind is likely to explore new opportunities. While there was strong speculation about him taking the reins of international operations at Jiostar, it seems that he could be charting a different course.

    With over three decades of experience in media, including top roles at Zee and Colors, as well as various entrepreneurial ventures, Govind has made a mark in global broadcasting. He’s credited with launching key channels and events, such as Zee Russia, Zee Carnival, Zee Cine Awards, Colors Gujarati, and Colors Rishtey along with digital products like Voot, while spearheading a range of successful global initiatives.

    Govind will be leaving Colors at a time when the network is at its peak, dominating several international markets. Under his leadership, Colors became the only Indian broadcaster with a unified FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) presence internationally -an achievement largely driven by his strategic vision and ability to adapt quickly to market needs.

  • Zee Mundo lauched as a Fast service in Latin America

    Zee Mundo lauched as a Fast service in Latin America

    MUMBAI: Prerparense, chicos. Aqui vamos!

    In English that translates into “get ready boys. Here we come!” That’s exactly the mood at Zee Entertainment Enterprises. The entertainment television  network has moved into the Latin American market for the second time with the launch of Zee Mundo. A free advertising supported channel (Fast), it is the second such channel that the Punit Goenka-led company has introduced  in the region – the first being Zee BollyWorld.

    Zee Mundo carries a mix of Spanish-dubbed Indian content ranging from popular Indian films to series. The Fast service is available on LG Electronics north America, Xiaomi Technology, Freebie TV and Wisp TV. The distribution of the channel was facilitated by Amagi.

    Making this announcement on Linkedin, Zee EVP head of partnerships Akhilesh Gupta said that the launch will only help strengthen the network’s presence in the Latam region and that team couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.

    Zee Mundo – which was launched in 2016 as a pay TV service – was earlier available off Dish Latino, Sky and several cable networks  in Latin America as a linear subscription service at a price of $4.99 per month.