GECs
‘Get Gorgeous’ spruces [V]’s channel share
MUMBAI: Reality shows rule the roost at Channel [V].
And it is paying rich dividends for Star’s music arm, the channel claims, detailing how its reality hunt Get Gorgeous has helped [V] grab 21 per cent channel share in Mumbai.
Quoting TAM research data, an official release states that [V] has also grabbed the highest channel share across the entire TV viewing band during the Saturday time slot (repeat airing) in Mumbai.
The show, which airs on Thursday at 8 pm, clocked a viewership of 4.4 million across the country within three weeks (week 27/04- week 30/04) of its airing.
Get Gorgeous also dominated channel share for the 8 – 8:30 pm slot on Thursdays, among music channels, the release adds.
[V]’s TVR in Mumbai rose from 0.1 in Week 27/04 to 2.2 in Week 30/04, the biggest growth spurt in viewership for any show on a music channel when viewed within a one week span.
“We have further consolidated our leadership position with a continued thrust on innovative & interactive programming content. The soaring success of [V] Get Gorgeous and other such reality shows like [V] on the Run, Popstars 1 & 2 etc., has clearly reinforced that we are undoubtedly the pioneers of reality television.” Channel [V] head honcho Amar K Deb asserts.
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.
