ITV

Tag: ZMCL

  • iTV Network appoints R K Arora as director – strategy and planning

    iTV Network appoints R K Arora as director – strategy and planning

    Noida: In an announcement made on Friday by iTV Network, R K Arora joins as director – strategy and planning. Arora has a wealth of leadership experience of around two-and-a-half decades in the news broadcasting, spanning the entire spectrum from strategic vision and planning to execution. He has a standout track record, result-oriented approach and has a deep understanding of news ecosystem.

    Arora was, until recently, the executive director and CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL). He has previously held various senior executive positions with various media houses of repute viz. News Nation, India News, News 24 and India TV.

    Arora is a Chartered Accountant by profession and has formidable experience in Finance, Distribution, overall operations and formulating strategies for the organization. In his new role at iTV network, he will focus on creating streamlined operating models between cross-functional teams, orchestrating a rhythm of the business system of focus and accountability, and driving efficiencies in go to market activities by streamlining processes and automating work.

    He will report to the network's board.

    Arora is an iTV alumnus, and elaborating on the vision that he aims to follow in his new role at iTV Network, he said, “It is a nice moment to come back to iTV network. With so much change and disruption unfolding in the news industry, this is an opportune time to work with increased focus on growth and innovation, and I am excited to channel my experience and insights from towards overall strategic development and growth of iTV network.”

    Speaking on Arora’s new role with iTV Network, Kartikeya Sharma, Founder and Promoter of iTV Network, said, “His extensive experience across news industry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry. As iTV network continues to grow in 2019, Arora’s unique insights and expertise will help guide the vision and drive forward our ambitious global growth plans.”

  • Ad revenue growth drives Zee Media numbers up in Q1 FY20

    Ad revenue growth drives Zee Media numbers up in Q1 FY20

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported 29.7 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2019 (Q1 2020, quarter or period under review) at Rs 200.66 crore as compared to Rs 154.69 crore for the corresponding year ago quarter Q1 2019 (y-o-y). Growth in numbers was led by 35.7 per cent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue in Q1 2020 at Rs 185.90 crore as compared to Rs 136.97 crore in Q1 2019. Subscription revenue for Q1 2020 increased 1.6 per cent y-o-y to Rs 11.28 crore from Rs 11.10 crore. Other sales and services declined 47.5 per cent y-o-y to Rs 3.47 crore during the period under review from Rs 6.62 crore.

    However, the company’s consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for Q1 2020 declined 52.9 per cent to Rs 26.07 crore from Rs 55.38 crore in Q1 2019. It must be noted that ZMCL had sold off its entire equity stake in Ez-Mall Online to a related party effective 30 June 2018 and the company has arranged for impairment as per Ind-AS-109 for its investments in Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. For further details please refer to the company’s financial statements. Consolidated operating EBITDA for the quarter under review increased 83.6 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2020 to Rs 65.88 crore from Rs 35.88 crore.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company

    Consolidated total expenditure for Q1 2020 increased 13.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 134.78 crore from Rs 130.45 crore. Operating costs increased 41.7 per cent y-o-y in Q 2020 to Rs 36.12 crore from Rs 25.49 crore. Employee Benefits Expense in Q1 2020 increased 21.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 42.40 crore from Rs 34.81 crore. Marketing, distribution and business promotion expenses in Q1 2020 increased 7 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2020 to Rs 22.23 crore from Rs 20.77 crore. Other expenses during the quarter under review declined 9.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 34.03 crore from Rs 37.74 crore.

  • Zee Media MD Ashok Venkatramani resigns

    Zee Media MD Ashok Venkatramani resigns

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) announced that its managing director Ashok Venkatramani has resigned, effectively immediately from 9 July. "Ashok Venkatramani has decided to pursue interest outside the company and has accordingly resigned as Managing Director of the company with effect from close of business on July 9, 2019," said ZMCL in a notice to the BSE.

    Venkatramani joined ZMCL on 2 July as MD for a period of three years. However, he has decided to quit the post within a year of appointment.

    Venkatramani is an almunus of IIM Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School. He has over three decades of experience in the FMCG and broadcasting sectors. In his last stint he was associated with ABP News Network as CEO since 2008 before joining ZMCL. He was instrumental in rebranding Star News into ABP News.
     

  • Zee Media numbers up on higher ad revenue for Q3 2019

    Zee Media numbers up on higher ad revenue for Q3 2019

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s television news broadcasting arm Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported a 123.1 per cent growth (more than double) in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the period ended 31 December 2018 (Q3 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared (year-on-year comparison, y-o-y) to the corresponding year ago quarter (Q3 2018, year ago quarter). PAT in Q3 2019 was Rs 27.20 crore as compared to Rs 12.19 crore in Q3 2018. ZMCL consolidated simple operating EBITDA at Rs 57.99 crore in Q3 2019 was 26 per cent more than the Rs 46.03 crore in Q3 2018.

    The company’s consolidated operating revenue increased 22.7 per cent y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 194.22 crore from Rs 158.30 crore in the year ago quarter. Total income increased 23.2 per cent y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 196.45 crore from Rs 159.49 crore in Q3 2018.

    In its earnings release, ZMCL reported 21.9 per cent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue for Q3 2019 at Rs 175.51 crore from Rs 143.95 crore. Subscription revenue increased 10.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 13.01 crore in Q3 2019 from Rs 11.74 crore. Other sales and services increased by 1.18 times in Q3 2019 to Rs 5.7 crore from Rs 2.61 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL

    ZMCL’s total expenditure in Q3 2019 increased 21.7 per cent y-o-y to Rs 155.16 crore from Rs 127.52 crore. Employee benefits expense in the quarter under review increased 18.1 per cent y-o-y to Rs 38.87 crore from Rs 32.92 crore in Q3 2018. The company’s marketing promotion and distribution expenses in Q3 2019 increased 30.9 per cent y-o-y to Rs 22.01 crore from Rs 16.81 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Operating costs in Q3 2019 increased 26.3 per cent y-o-y to Rs 29.50 crore from Rs 23.36 crore. Other expenses in Q3 2019 increased 17 per cent to Rs 45.85 crore from Rs 39.18 crore in Q3 2018.

    It may be noted that ZMCL has sold its entire equity stake in Ez-Mall Online Ltd to a related party at an aggregate consideration of Rs. 8.60 crore. Accordingly, Ez-Mall Online Ltd ceased to be a subsidiary of ZMCL with effect from 30 June 2018 and gain on disposal of investments of approximately Rs 41.21 crore has been recognised during the previous quarter and shown as exceptional items. Also, during the previous quarter, ZMCL completed the acquisition of balance 40 per cent equity stake in its subsidiary Zee Akaash News Pvt Ltd (ZANPL). Accordingly, ZANPL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the company with effect from 1 June 2018 and figures for the current quarter are not comparable with previous periods presented in the consolidated financial results says the company.

  • ZMCL COO Rajiv Singh steps down

    ZMCL COO Rajiv Singh steps down

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) COO Rajiv Singh has stepped down from his role, with 28 February set to be his last working day, the company has notified the BSE. He will relinquish his duties as a board member on 31 January 2019.

    Singh joined Zee Media from Network18 where he was senior VP (business head) of News18 since August 2014. Prior to joining Network18, Singh was general manager, Middle East at Tribal Fusion, an online advertising network owned by Exponential Interactive.

    Singh has previously worked with Khaleej Times Online, Hindustan Times, Dainik Bhaskar and The Times of India, helping revitalize the media brands.

    Based on recommendations of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Vishwapati Trivedi, lAS (Retd.) has been appointed as additional director in the category of non-executive independent director with effect from January 24, 2019. 

    Punit Goenka has also been appointed as additional director in the category of non-executive non-independent director with effect from January 24, 2019.

  • Zee Business Strengthens Programming, launches campaign to take CNBC Awaaz head on

    Zee Business Strengthens Programming, launches campaign to take CNBC Awaaz head on

    Emerged as a reigning player in the business news genre, ZEE Business has shown remarkable growth in recent times. The avg market share of the channel grew from an avg of 23% in Q4 17-18 to over 35% in Q3 18-19. The channel has been extremely aggressive in relooking at its programming as well as marketing.

    Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor, Zee Business says “the channel has relooked at the programming keeping consumer and credibility at the core of it. Our intent is to add value to our viewers by bringing the best business news analysis. We have also introduced segments like instant profit making tips looking at the market opening.”

    On overall stock market programming, Singhvi says “it has been focused on small and new traders enabling them to trade or invest comfortably. We are shifting viewers habit from saving to investment and helping to fulfill their financial inclusion agenda.”

    The channel has some of the successful new initiatives like Aaj Ke 2000 (a segment planned for intraday traders with limited money to book profit), Investment Gurukul (making the viewer comfortable with stock market operations), F&O Ki Pathshala (enabling traders for derivative trading in easy language), Desh ki Baat (a unique style political debate show in prime time). All these shows / segments have become very popular in short time and have really fueled the growth.

    Commenting on the new marketing campaign, Sujeet Mishra, Head Marketing, ZMCL says “Zee Business will keep strengthening its relationship with viewers and partners by constantly reinventing programming and communication. We have great content lineup and the best of business news analysts. The splendid growth of viewership is reflection of our growing trust and the campaign stunningly captures the spirit”.

    The channel also did some special shows recently like Zee Business Travel Awards in partnership with Mauritius Tourism, and multicity Dare to Dream Awards in partnership with SAP which were hugely successful. Now based out of the financial capital of India, Zee Business is all out to bring the best of content, analysis and experts for viewers.

     Zee Disclaimer: Confidentiality / Proprietary Note: This communication is confidential /proprietary and is intended for use only by the addressee. Zee Media Corporation Ltd. accepts no responsibility for any mistransmission of, orinterference with, this communication

  • Zee Hindustan turns anchor-less

    Zee Hindustan turns anchor-less

    MUMBAI: The Zee Media Corporation Ltd, part of the Essel Group, today took a path-breaking step in television journalism by formally making its Hindi news channel Zee Hindustan anchor-less.

    Rajya Sabha MP and founder of Zee Dr Subhash Chandra said, “The anchors who appear on news channels often appear to give colour to a particular story. The viewers who really want to follow, or just know about the news are left with no choice but to watch that anchor. We at Zee sensed this urgency and decided to come up with an alternative which will just give news, without any views. And this is how Zee Hindustan was born.” Camera never lies, and with this new channel, the story will speak for itself and the viewers will get the correct news stories, he added.

    He also said, “Since the inception of television news in the country, nobody has thought about giving the viewers a channel which can serve this basic purpose. Zee Hindustan fills that void.”

    ZMCL managing director Ashok Venkatramani said, “The country is heading towards the biggest election battle. In a forced opinionated environment, Zee Hindustan will definitely break the clutter and create a niche for itself amongst viewers. The news in purest form and variety of content will put the channel apart from others”.

    ZMCL editor in chief Purushottam Vaishnav said, “It has been a strenuous two-month-long journey for all of us and my team did a commendable job in launching this channel in such a brief time. Zee Hindustan will give you news, without any views.”

    Zee Hindustan is a 24-hour Hindi TV news channel and a part of Zee Media Corporation Ltd. It was launched in May 2017 with the motto 'States Make The Nation'.

    “This was the day 91 years back when my great grandfather founded the firm, which is today's Essel,” Dr Chandra had tweeted on the channel's launch.

  • Zee Media gets permission for 4 regional news channels

    Zee Media gets permission for 4 regional news channels

    MUMBAI: After a long tenure of being strict in awarding channel licenses, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has finally become lenient. In the month of September, eight new channels received licenses while none saw their licenses cancelled as on 30 September 2018.

    Out of the eight channels, four channels were of Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL). All the four permissions are for news channel named 1 Chennai (Tamil, English), 1 Mumbai (Marathi, English), 1 Kolkata (Bengali, English) and 1 Delhi (Hindi, English). The permission was given on 11 September 2018 for both uplinking and downlinking of the four channels.

    On the other hand, Disney Broadcasting India got the permissions for a non-news channel UTV HD (English) for both uplinking and downlinking on 14 September 2018.

    Vedic Broadcasting has got permission for launching three new channels named Aastha Tamil, Aastha Telugu and Aastha Kannada on 26 September 2018.

    The 14 licenses which were cancelled earlier by MIB due to security denial by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are still now under stay order from the court.

    After cancelling permission to 247 channels, the number of private satellite TV channels having valid permission in India stands at 869 as on 30 September 2018. 483 channels are non-news channels and the remaining 386 are news channels.

    Of the 868 permitted private satellite channels, TV channels permitted for uplinking from India and also to downlink into India are 769 among which 365 are news channels and 404 are non-news channels. 11 non-news channels and five news channels are permitted for uplinking from India but not downlink into the country. 84 TV channels are uplinked from abroad which only have downlinking permission in India. This category includes 15 news and 69 non-news channels.

  • ZMCL reports more than quadruple profit for second quarter

    ZMCL reports more than quadruple profit for second quarter

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s television news broadcasting arm Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported a 355.1 per cent growth (more than four-fold) in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the period ended 30 September 2018 (Q2 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared (year-on-year comparison, y-o-y) to the corresponding year ago quarter (Q2 2018, year ago quarter). PAT in Q2 2019 was Rs 17.25 crore as compared to Rs 3.79 crore in Q2 2018. ZMCL reported operating EBITDA at Rs 40.5 crore in Q2 2019, which was 355.1 per cent more than the Rs 3.79 crore in Q2 2018.

    The company’s consolidated operating revenue increased 35.5 per cent y-o-y in Q2 2019 at Rs 168.66 crore as compared to Rs 124.51 crore in the year ago quarter. Total income increased 34.7 per cent y-o-y in Q2 2019 to Rs 170.66 crore from Rs 126.71 crore in Q2 2018.

    In its earnings release ZMCL reported 34.5 per cent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue for Q 2019 at Rs 149.43 crore from Rs 111.10 crore. Subscription revenue increased 11.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 13.1 crore in Q2 2019 from Rs 10.73 crore. Other sales and services also almost quadrupled (increased by 3.6 times) in Q2 2019 to Rs 6.11 crore from Rs 1.68 core in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL

    ZMCL’s total expenditure in Q2 2019 increased 31.2 per cent y-o-y to Rs 144.78 crore from Rs 110.37 crore. Employee benefits expense in the quarter under review increased 20.3 per cent y-o-y to Rs 37.36 crore from Rs 31.06 crore in Q2 2018. The company’s marketing promotion and distribution expenses in Q2 2019 increased 47.7 per cent to Rs 23.03 crore from Rs 15.59 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Operating costs in Q2 2019 increased 25.9 per cent to Rs 24.49 crore from Rs 19.45 crore. Other expenses in Q2 2019 increased 35.5 per cent to Rs 42.91 crore from Rs 31.66 crore in Q2 2018.

    It may be noted that ZMCL has sold its entire equity stake in Ez-Mall Online to a related party at an aggregate consideration of Rs 8.60 crore. Accordingly, Ez-Mall Online ceased to be a subsidiary of ZMCL with effect from 30 June 2018 and gain on disposal of investments of approximately Rs 41.21 crore has been recognised during the previous quarter and shown as exceptional items. Also, during the previous quarter, ZMCL completed acquisition of balance 40 per cent equity stake in its subsidiary Zee Akaash News Private Ltd (ZANPL). Accordingly, ZANPL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the company with effect from 1 June, 2018 and figures for the current quarter are not comparable with previous periods presented in the consolidated financial results says the company.

  • ZMCL reports almost fivefold profit for Q1; DNA loss lower

    ZMCL reports almost fivefold profit for Q1; DNA loss lower

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s television news broadcasting arm Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported a 386.3 per cent growth (almost five fold) in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the period ended 30 June 2018 (Q1 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared (year-on-year comparison, y-o-y) to the corresponding year ago quarter (Q1 2018, year ago quarter). The company’s consolidated operating revenue increased 35.4 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2019 at Rs 154.69 crore as compared to Rs 114.45 crore in the year ago quarter. Total income increased 31.1 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2019 to Rs 158.39 crore from Rs 120.83 crore in Q1 2018.

    It may be noted that ZMCL has sold its entire equity stake in Ez-Mall Online Ltd to a related party at an aggregate consideration of Rs. 8.60 crore. Accordingly, Ez-Mall Online Ltd ceased to be a subsidiary of ZMCL with effect from 30 June 2018 and gain on disposal of investments of approximately Rs 41.21 crore has been recognised during the quarter and shown as exceptional items.

    PAT in Q1 2019 was Rs 35.89 crore as compared to Rs 7.38 crore in Q1 2018. Even if one were to neglect the benefit of exceptional items the company’s consolidated profit before tax (PBT) came to a healthy Rs 21.49 crore during the quarter under review as compared to Rs 12.57 crore in Q1 2018. ZMCL reported operating EBITDA at Rs 35.88 crore in Q1 2019, which was 42.3 per cent more than the Rs 25.22 crore in Q1 2018.

    Also, during the quarter, ZMCL completed acquisition of balance 40 per cent equity stake in its subsidiary Zee Akaash News Private Ltd (ZANPL). Accordingly, ZANPL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the company with effect from 1 June, 2018 and figures for the current quarter are not comparable with previous periods presented in the consolidated financial results says the company.

    In its earnings release ZMCL reported 34.5 percent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue for Q 2019 at Rs 136.97 crore from Rs 101.87 crore. Subscription revenue increased 1 per cent y-o-y to Rs 11.1 crore in Q1 2019 from Rs 10.99 crore. Other sales and services quadrupled (increased by 3.16 times) in Q1 2019 to Rs 6.62 crore from Rs 1.59 core in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL

    ZMCL’s total expenditure in Q1 2019 increased 28.5 per cent y-o-y to Rs 134.93 crore from Rs 102.72 crore. Employee benefits expense in the quarter under review increased 18.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 34.81 crore from Rs 29.40 crore in Q 2019. The company’s marketing promotion and distribution expenses in Q1 2019 increased 53.8 per cent to Rs 20.14 crore from Rs 13.9 crore in the year ago quarter.

    Advertising and publicity expenses in the year declined 1.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 3.05 crore from Rs 3.09 crore. Operating costs in Q1 2019 increased 28.6 per cent to Rs 25.49 crore from Rs 19.83 crore. Other expenses in Q1 2019 increased 40.2 per cent to Rs 37.74 crore from Rs 26.95 crore in Q1 2018.

    Lower loss reported by Diligent Media Limited (DNA)

    In a separate filing with the bourses, Diligent Media Corporation Ltd (Diligent Media), which comprises of the divested print media business of ZMCL and the amalgamation of Mediavest and Pri-Media into itself, reported lower loss for Q1 2019 at Rs 14.52 crore as compared to Rs 44.49 crore for Q1 2018. The company’s revenue from operations increased marginally by 2.2 per cent y-o-y in Q 2019 to Rs 26.02 crore from Rs 25.45 crore in the year ago quarter. The company owns the broadsheet newspaper DNA (Daily News and Analysis)