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Tag: Zeel

  • ZEEL unveils Zee Telugu’s new look

    ZEEL unveils Zee Telugu’s new look

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) celebrating its 25-year milestone, has unveiled new logos for its Telugu channels, Zee Telugu and Zee Cinemalu.

    Zee Telugu’s new logo represents the transition that the channel will undergo in the upcoming months with the introduction of never seen before content formats and a blend of fiction and non-fiction shows for Telugu audiences around the world. Zee Cinemalu’s new logo highlights the varied content and movie options that the channel will be airing to establish itself as a leading entertainment destination.

    As the first channel from the Zee bouquet to foray into Southern India, Zee Telugu sets itself apart with its positive narratives which inspire viewers. Furthermore, characters such as Bhoomi from Mutyala Muggu and Samantha from America Ammayi who are aspirational and progressive, yet rooted in traditions and culture, reiterate Zee Telugu’s philosophy of being contemporary while remaining culturally entrenched. Koncham Touchlo Unte Chepta, a celebrity talk show-cum-game show is one such example that has been a first in the Telugu GEC industry.

  • Zeel ad revenue & profit up in Q2 despite GST impact

    Zeel ad revenue & profit up in Q2 despite GST impact

    BENGALURU: The Subhash Chandra led Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) reported a 2.9 percent increase in advertising revenue for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter (y-o-y). Zeel says in a press release that despite the adverse impact of GST on advertising, domestic advertising grew by 5.8 percent y-o-y, on a comparable basis (excluding sports, RBNL and IWPL) to Rs 9028 million.

    Zeel’s net profit after tax (PAT) for the period more than doubled (2.48 times) y-o-y in the current quarter to Rs 5908 million as compared  to Rs 2384 million due the slump sale of its sports broadcasting business that resulted in a net gain of Rs 1346.1 million for the current quarter. Zeel’s subscription revenue declined 14 percent y-o-y to Rs 5014.1 million in the current quarter as compared to Rs 5833.4 million. However, adjusted for the sale of sports business, domestic subscription revenue grew by 7.2 percent to Rs. 4043 million. International subscription revenue stood at Rs 971 million. Other sales and services revenue in the current quarter was lower y-o-y at Rs 939 million as compared to Rs 1529.4 million.

    Overall, Zeel’s revenue increased 2.7 percent y-o-y in Q2-18 to Rs 17,851.8 million on higher other income as compared to Rs 17,386.7 million in Q2-17. Other income in the current quarter more than quadrupled y-o-y to Rs 2031.3 million as compared to Rs 432.3 million. EBIDTA in the current quarter was almost flat y-o-y (up 0.4 percent) at Rs 4912 million as compared to Rs 4892 million.

    Company speak

    Zeel chairman Subhash Chandra said, “We are now a 25 years old organisation and it is with great satisfaction and pride that I look back at this journey and the numerous milestones we have achieved. Starting as India’s first private television channel, we have grown into a truly global entertainment content company with a worldwide footprint and a strong presence across all forms of entertainment. Indian M&E industry has grown by leaps and bounds but it is just the beginning. I am confident that we will continue to shape the entertainment industry, much like we have done over the last two and a half decades.”

    Zeel managing director and CEO Punit Goenka commented, “At Zeel, it has been an exciting 25 years during which we significantly increased our viewership and expanded our regional as well as global presence. This was achieved while delivering a strong financial performance. It has been possible because of our ability to evolve our content offerings in line with changing consumer preferences. Another step in this evolution would be the launch of our new digital product, ‘Z5’, in the second half of this financial year. It will offer an unrivalled content catalogue appealing to all demographics and bring unique viewing experience to the consumer.”

    “We are satisfied with our performance against the backdrop of tough macro-economic environment during the quarter. Our advertisers were negatively impacted during transition to GST which led to a temporary pull-back on their ad spends. Post the decline in the first half of the quarter, the growth recovered strongly and is back on track. Despite the adversity, our domestic ad revenue grew at 5.8 percent on a comparable basis,” said Goenka.

    “The domestic subscription growth for the quarter was at 7.2 percent. As against the early closure of deals last year, content deals with distributors are taking slightly longer due to litigations regarding the TRAI tariff regulation. However, our full year outlook for subscription growth remains unaltered. Despite the loss of advertising revenue and elevated expenses during the quarter, we have been able to deliver a healthy margin of 31 percent,” assured Goenka.

    “The acquisition of 9X Media follows our stated strategy of expanding into regional markets and niche genres. 9X Media’s six music channels enjoy leading market shares in their respective segments and will further strengthen our entertainment offering to the consumer. The channels will benefit immensely from our network’s strength to achieve higher growth potential and cost synergies,” revealed Goenka.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Zeel

    The company’s total expenditure in the current quarter declined 9.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 10,909 million from Rs 12,062 million. Employee Benefit Expense in Q2-18 increased 18.4 percent y-o-y to Rs1814 million from Rs 1533 million. Operating costs in the current quarter declined 24.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 5789 million from Rs 7688 million. Advertising and Publicity expenses increased 22.3 percent y-o-y in Q2-18 to Rs 1410 million from Rs 1153 million in Q2-18. Other expenses increased 12.3 percent in the current quarter to Rs 1896 million from Rs 1688 million in Q2-17.

    Also Read:

    Zee Content Hub originals slate for DISCOP SA: First Indian-African drama, lifestyle and factual programmes offered

    Zee TV new logo unveiled; refreshed digital platform Zee5 launch soon

    ZEEL’s Punit Misra: Our new logo signifies aspiration of Indian middle class

  • Zee Content Hub originals slate for DISCOP SA: First Indian-African drama, lifestyle and factual programmes offered

    Zee Content Hub originals slate for DISCOP SA: First Indian-African drama, lifestyle and factual programmes offered

    MUMBAI: Global Content Hub by Zee – the syndication division of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) — announced its new, original programmes for licensing at the upcoming DISCOP market, in Johannesburg on 25-27 October.

    Highlights of this year’s portfolio include the new Indian/African co-production series Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan, filmed in Dubai and the Ivory Coast.  Other featured shows on offer are two new dramas and a lifestyle programme, as well as Zee’s complete rich catalogue of over 2400,000 hours’ programs in all genres.

    Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan is an original and ground-breaking African-Indian co-production between Zee TV and RTI from Ivory Coast. Filmed in both Africa and the Middle East, the 13-episod ic one-hour drama features well-known African actor Ahmed Souane from the Ivory Coast, who co-stars as the protagonist tycoon’s best friend.

    Khwaabon-Ke-Darmiyaan.jpg

    Renowned actor Javed Sheikh portrays the UAE real estate tycoon, Ikram Malik, and the story follows his endeavor to launch a massive real estate project in the UAE. The series is fast-paced, sophisticated and engrossing and began its broadcast in December 2016, garnering the highest rating recorded for any show in the UAE for 2016 (Average 12.1 TVR); and went on to become the top-rated show among South Asians for its entire 2-month run through February 2017. Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan is the second Indian drama series ever filmed in Dubai, the first was Parwaaz also produced by Zee.

    Also on offer for the first time are two popular dramas and one factual programme: Woh Apna Sa — an Indian drama series about a troubled marriage and potential love triangle; Waaris (Heir) an Indian drama-thriller series; and English-language, transformational reality programme Big Fat Truth about healthy living.

    waaris-wo-apna-sa.JPG

    ZEEL chief business officer – international ad sales, global syndication and production Sunita Uchil said, “Zee’s Global Content Hub is also highlighting two fantastic dramas for the first time as well as an English-language healthy lifestyle programme."

     

  • ZEEL exec Sunil Buch resigns

    ZEEL exec Sunil Buch resigns

    MUMBAI: Sunil Buch has put in his papers at ZEEL.

    Appointed as the chief business officer of the network in 2014, and recently elevated to the position of the chief executive officer (CEO) — Zee Live and Zee Talent and head of corporate brand and communications.

    Buch has over two decades of experience in functional and general management across various sectors like FMCG, advertising, media and entertainment and telecom retail.

    Prior to joining ZEEL, he was the business head at Reliance Own Retail at Reliance Communications. He has also worked with major brands like Colgate – Palmolive, Johnson and Johnson, Leo Burnett and Marico.

  • ZEEL CEO Punit Misra says: “We intend to compete fairly”

    ZEEL CEO Punit Misra says: “We intend to compete fairly”

    MUMBAI: Last year in October,  Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) appointed Hindustan Unilever (HUL) sales and customer development executive director Punit Misra as ZEEL domestic broadcast business CEO.  Coming from the FMCG sector Misra has entered the television industry with an advantage – ‘ both the businesses depend on consumer behaviour’.

    ZEEL is now the largest broadcaster in India.  First it acquired Anil Ambani led Reliance Broadcast business and recently bagged 9X Media.

    In a conversation with Indiantelevision.com’s Sonam Saini, Misra shares his one year experience and plans going forward.

    Excerpts:  

    How do FMCG and TV broadcasting compare since both of them depend on understanding audience behaviour?  

    As you said rightly, it’s all about consumer and consumer practise and not building brands. Building brands happens through content- that’s the difference because people use soap once in a day for those 3-5 minutes, but here people sit and consume and get emotionally attached. They can talk about hours but I don’t think consumers can sit and talk about consumer brands this much, so that’s the difference.

    You have completed a year in ZEEL. How has been the experience of heading a broadcast business?

    I am loving every minute here. I began with knowing nothing but there are a lot of things to do.

    Did you initiate the change after you took charge?

    It’s our initiative, not any one individual’s. Nothing works in any industry or any company because of one person. Deepak Rajadhyaksha has been raising and crafting a lot of things. Pratyusha is there and the agency team. I can’t even claim that I have done something.

    Did Punit Goenka take you through the company’s process in your first few days? How did he guide you?

    He is guiding me today as well. He’s just an amazing person. He guiding and gives space and I marvel at how he manages both at the same time. It is just incredible to have him as coach.

    What were the challenges that you faced? What milestones are you personally proud of?

    Firstly, we are supposed to learn before we start taking decisions. For me that was important because coming from a non-TV background I had to spend time to know the business, the people and the brand.

    Along with the team we are fantastically proud with the fact that we are the number one network. The fact that Zee TV is the number channel in HSM, I am proud of that.  I am  proud of the team that I have. We have retained key talent in the company since so many years.

    How do you view Zee’s presence in the market given competitors like Star and Sony are ramping up properties?

    They all have been in the market while competing. We are proud that we are number one in the Hindi speaking market Zee TV and Zee Anmol. Competition is good for the industry and for us as well.  We intend to compete fairly. KBC has grown fantastically, Sony has done a really great job. Star got IPL and congratulations to them. Colors suddenly took a hit but are back from the lead. Things to learn from them. We are all friends but otherwise we are competing tooth and nail in the space to win the viewer.  

    What was the idea behind 9X acquisition? What is the strategy for it?

    It’s the number one group in music genre that’s the reason we acquired the channels. We are still conceptualising the strategy.

    Why are you doing this channel refresh? Was there a need?

    All brands will come to a stage and think that now is the time to change and we believed that we were not doing well last year. We slipped to be in the middle. As today you know we are on number one and the timing is right.

  • Zee TV stirs emotional connect with its brand campaign on the ‘first flight’

    Zee TV stirs emotional connect with its brand campaign on the ‘first flight’

    MUMBAI: Zee TV as a channel has always been poised to cater to the middle class. For its latest 25-year celebration refresh, the channel launched a commercial that encapsulates just that.

    The ad film portrays a retired government employee, who is afraid of flying in an aircraft, takes a flight for the first time and for a heartwarming reason. Turns out, it is a first for his daughter too as the captain in charge of the same aircraft.

    Conceptualised by Publicis India, the film delivers the message, ‘The great Indian middle class is truly taking charge and rewriting the rules of their destiny.’

    During the launch of the film, ZEEL domestic broadcast business CEO Punit Misra shared that the entire team became teary eyed when the film was shown to them.

    The TVC was created in 2 months. Sharing his experience of working with Zee for this particular ad film, Publicis India managing director and CCO Bobby Pawar mentions, “Zee TV is not just the pioneer of entertainment but it is an insider to everyone’s home and a part of their family. The characters become a part of the viewers life after a period of time and have built the notion of ‘Jo Khud Se Jeet Jata hai’ ( overcoming your inner battles). The story is about people who outdo themselves, their circumstances and the society to champion themselves at the end of the day.”

    The campaigns talks about two things: the unconditional love of a father and about a woman who achieves her dream with her father’s support, despite the challenges.

    ZEEL CMO Pratyusha Agarwal said, “ We wanted something that would be iconic for 100 years, which was truly delivered. Zee TV is not about the borrowed glory it’s about the common story.”

  • Zee TV new logo unveiled; refreshed digital platform Zee5 launch soon

    Zee TV new logo unveiled; refreshed digital platform Zee5 launch soon

    MUMBAI: Celebrating its silver jubilee at a grand event here on Saturday, India’s first private satellite TV channel, Zee TV, unveiled a new logo aimed at representing its journey for the next 25 years, while its parent Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) used the occasion to also showcase the logo of its new digital platform Zee5, which is to be launched over the next few weeks.

    Speaking during the Zee Rishtey Award, organised on Saturday and telecast on Sunday that was attended by the company bigwigs, television stars and a “3,400-strong Zee family”, ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka said that not only Zee was the world’s “biggest joint family”, but is committed to keep entertaining and innovating over the next 25 years also, which is reflected in the new channel logo (tagline being `aaj likhenge kal’ or ‘we’ll write our future today’).

    The stage was perfect to unveil a teaser of Zee group’s soon-to-be-launched new digital platform in the form of its logo. The OTT service, to be called Zee5, is a completely refreshed version of the group’s existing digital services and will ultimately subsume with itself the likes of dittoTv and Ozee. Incidentally, the digital platform logo was dedicated to Zee group chairman- founder-promoter and media baron-turned-Member of Parliament Subhash Chandra.

    “The new identity (of Zee TV) is not an evolution, but a revolution of the belief of being stronger as one family. The new colour of the logo is a sign of transformation,” Goenka was quoted by Zee sibling and newspaper DNA as saying, adding, “Over the next few weeks, we will see the rollout of Zee5 across India and other global markets.”

    ZEEL is a worldwide media brand offering entertainment and news content to diverse audiences. With a presence in over 172 countries and a reach of more than a billion people around the globe connecting in 19 languages, it is among the largest global content companies across genres, languages, and platforms, spanning presence across broadcasting, movies, music, live entertainment, digital and talent businesses.

    Holding forth further on Zee5, DNA quotes Goenka (Chandra’s eldest son) as saying, “Zee5 is poised to be the largest digital platform for Indian entertainment in the world, bringing the best of live television, Indian and international TV shows, movies and videos to viewers in the language of their choice and across all internet connected devices.”

    According to ZEEL CEO, international broadcast business Amit Goenka, “I see excitement in the air. We are progressing towards a new global destination. Zee5 is a digital platform that is born out of passion to create something new for the industry, and we are going to create a new history in the coming 25 years.”

    Meanwhile, Chandra tweeted two photos on Saturday from the 25th birthday bash of Zee with the message: “Then: Interacting with my colleagues when we completed 150 days. And Now: Interacting with colleagues tonight while we celebrate 25 years.” Incidentally, Chandra is one of those few businesspeople in the world who, as a local partner, managed to buyout Rupert Murdoch in three joint ventures in a cash and stock deal.

    Speaking on the occasion, Chandra, in what could be a direction to colleagues now managing the affairs of ZEEL, said, “We have to keep going, as it is not written in our fate to stop.”

    “I remember when we celebrated the first anniversary of Zee TV back in 1993. I had only 50 people (around) those days, and today, in 2017, we have more than 3,000 individuals who are a part of Zee. I believe that human resource is the biggest infrastructure that one has, and that is one of the biggest plus points for our nation,” he reminisced.

    public://PG Announcing Zee TV Logo2.jpg

    Over the last 18 months, ZEE has been restructuring its business portfolio shedding unattractive properties like the sports channels, which was sold to Sony Pictures Networks India, and buying GEC channels of Reliance Broadcast as also FM radio channels to expand reach and business that add value to its core value as a corporate entity.

    public://SC at Zee bash-Then and Now.png

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  • ZEEL acquires 9X Media for Rs 1.6 bn

    ZEEL acquires 9X Media for Rs 1.6 bn

    MUMBAI: Rumours around this acquistion have been doing the rounds for sometime. And they were denied for reasons of corporate and stock market compliance. But now  Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has finally announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire  the Pradeep Guha-headed 9X Media and its subsidiaries from private equity firm New Silk Route and other shareholders for an all cash consideration of Rs. 1,600 million.

    9X Media, along with its subsidiaries, operates a bouquet of six music channels – 9XM (Latest Bollywood), 9X Jalwa (Evergreen Hindi), 9X Jhakaas (Marathi), 9X Tashan (Punjabi), 9XO (English), 9X Bajao (Hindi Classics). 

    On completion of the acquisition, these channels will be added to ZEEL’s current portfolio of 33 channels. The acquisition is in line with the company’s strategy to cater to a diverse audience by offering targeted products. Besides significantly expanding its Hindi music portfolio, it gives ZEEL access to the regional music genre. It also increases its regional footprint with foray into the Punjabi market. 

    9X Media’s bouquet of channels has established a strong viewership on the back of the unique brand identity created over the years. In addition to strengthening ZEEL’s television bouquet, these channels will complement the music label and movie production businesses. 9X Media’s popular Bollywood news portal, SpotboyE, will also be a part of the transaction. The Company is confident of utilizing network synergies to bring down the costs and significantly improve the profitability of these channels.

    ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka said, “Continuing with our strategy of expanding into regional markets and niche genres, we are pleased to announce this acquisition which strengthens our music portfolio. Music is an integral component of consumer’s entertainment pie and we will offer our consumers a wider array of choices through these channels. 9X channels enjoy leading market shares in their respective segments and will benefit immensely from our network’s strength to achieve higher growth potential and cost synergies. I am confident that these channels will make our entertainment bouquet even more compelling for the audience.”

  • Zee India’s cultural ambassador to world, says Amit Goenka as it shares anniversary celebrations with India’s sat TV industry

    Zee India’s cultural ambassador to world, says Amit Goenka as it shares anniversary celebrations with India’s sat TV industry

    MUMBAI: ZEE has, over the years, emerged as the cultural ambassador of India to the world, taking its rich and engaging content to diverse 1.3 billion audience, said ZEEL CEO – international broadcast business Amit Goenka during the celebration of the channel’s completion of 25 glorious years.

    In the history of India, 2 October is a landmark day as it is the birthday of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. On this momentous day, way back in 1992, India also witnessed the birth of satellite television with the launch of the first Hindi satellite television channel, Zee TV from the stable of Zee Telefilms Ltd., now ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL). This year, ZEE Entertainment, which has evolved from an Indian television broadcaster into a media and and entertainment conglomerate, has completed 25 years of bringing the best of entertainment content to viewers in India and across the world.

    Essel Group and ZEE chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subhash Chandra said, “Zee TV had led to the commencement of a new industry which not only generated employment for 50 lakh people but also gave a new direction to India. We started with a single resolution to provide entertainment, and today, we share this happiness with 1.3 billion viewers across 173 countries, in 19 languages. 

    Under the leadership of Punit and Amit, ZEE will always work towards new technology and concepts so as to provide its viewers with the best of entertainment.”

    Sharing his views on this milestone, ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka said, “On 2 October, 1992, our chairman Dr. Subhash Chandra launched the nation’s first private satellite television channel. The industry today stands at an estimated size of Rs 588 billion. As consumer preferences shift and evolve, our aim at ZEE, is to anticipate the change, embrace the new and continue to lead by innovation.”

    Amit Goenka said, “ZEE forayed into the international business in 1995 with the launch of Zee TV in the UK. ZEE has emerged as the cultural ambassador of India. Our vision for the future is to become the world’s leading global content company from the emerging markets.”

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