GECs
Chrome Data: Week 3 of nothingness
MUMBAI: It looks like that TV viewers are taking a break for a while. In the week three of opportunity to see (OTS) collated by Chrome Data Analytics & Media, no major changes were witnessed.
As per the data provided by the media advisory consultancy, only music channels in the Hindi speaking market (HSM) saw a rise of 1.3 per cent. MTV took over Sony Mix with a small margin as it garnered 98.1 per cent OTS.
Hindi News genre in the HSM continued to be where it was last week with Aaj Tak leading the way with 93.1 per cent OTS.
As for the bottom four genres, English entertainment in the eight metros saw a fall of 3.5 per cent. However, AXN continued to rule with 76.6 per cent OTS.
The genre was closely followed by English movie channels which fell by 3.1 per cent. In the eight metros, Pix remained on top with 88.1 per cent OTS.
English and business new channels, both in the eight metro region, witnessed a drop of 2.5 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively.
Nevertheless, Times Now continued its winning streak with 88.1 per cent while CNBC Awaaz garnered 82.8 per cent OTS.
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.
