GECs
Chrome Data: No toppers in week six
MUMBAI: The opportunity to see (OTS) collated by Chrome Data Analytics & Media is out for week six, but doesn’t look too good.
The past week didn’t see any genre in the top category which could mean that the reach of the genre hasn’t really increased.
Even the bottom four that had the English movie as well as English entertainment channels saw a drop of 4.9 per cent in the eight metros.
Pix gained the highest OTS in the movie genre with 73.6 per cent, while AXN continued to rule the roost in the entertainment genre with 67.4 per cent OTS.
The sports genre across India saw a dip of 3.5 per cent. Ten Sports gained the highest OTS with 73.6 per cent.
Business news genre was at the bottom in the eight metros with 2.8 per cent fall. CNBC Awaaz scored the most OTS with 76.2 per cent.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
