GECs
Patch Khan is Discovery Asia VP network operations
MUMBAI: Discovery Networks Asia has appointed Patch Khan as VP, Network Operations based out of its regional headquarters in Singapore. An industry veteran with over 18 years of experience, Khan brings a wealth of international experience in broadcast facility and traffic management.
In this role he will manage all aspects of programme log production, commercial operations, and the language customization/tape tracking departments. He will report to Discovery Asia senior VP operations, Deborah Kent.
Khan has held senior management positions launching over 30 channels for Chrysalis TV (MTV Europe, London), TNT & Cartoon Network (London, Hong Kong, South-East Asia and Australia), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Singapore, Taiwan, India and the United Kingdom) and Showtime, a pay TV platform for the Middle East.
He has been involved in all aspects of starting up and running network operations. Khan has also consulted for blue-chip media companies including Paramount Comedy Channel, Flextech TV, BskyB, Nickelodeon UK, Fox Sports, and MGM International in traffic, log management systems and network operations.
Khan joins Discovery from the Australian Caption Centre in Sydney where he served as Director of Technical Services.
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.
