GECs
MAX cricket hits soaps for a sixer
MUMBAI: SET MAX, the channel that paid through its nose for the rights to ICC cricket rights, has been finally vindicated with the ratings helping it to top the heap in the week ended 28 September.
While the ratings for the final that was finally washed out in play that stretched over two days are yet to come in, the energetic India-England tie on 22 September too helped MAX rank number one in the ratings stake with a TRP of 11.83, while Kyunkii…, the reigning number one, stayed stable at number two with a TRP of 10.2. Kahaani…, the next favourite, followed a close third with a TRP of 10.19.
MAX in fact has bagged four of the top ten spots in the all-India C&S 4+ category surveyed by TAM, a feat unachieved by the channel thus far. The India-England match also figures at number five, while the India-South Africa match bag the eighth and tenth spot.
Interestingly, the channel’s programming around cricket, Extraaa Innings, also comes in at the 17th and 18th spot, proving that while a section of the media trashed the airhead routines and “masala” provided by Ruby Bhatia and co., the viewers were quite willing to lap it all up.
Master Blaster, Bajaj Boxer Total Knockout and Super Fours , were the other cricket-based shows that registered their presence in the Top 100.
In all, the channel has managed 13 of the top 100 shows in cable and satellite households in the country. MAX also managed entry into all TV households in the country, with the India-England match debuting at number 18. Seven of MAX’s shows feature in the Top 100 of the all-TV households category.
Data provided by the channel, meanwhile, says the cumulative reach of Max reached 90 million C&S household individuals. Placing it in the context of what the recently concluded NatWest series (telecast on ESPN Star Sports) which achieved a cumulative reach of 33 million gives a growth of 170 per cent.
Female Viewership grows by over 3 times: Female viewership touched a high of 34 million as against 13 million pegged by the NatWest Series — a growth of 162% over the NatWest reach, the channel further asserts.
MAX claims lead over DD: The average rating of India matches on DD was 1.4, compared to MAX’s 8.6. The average rating of the lone non-India match on DD was 1, compared to MAX’s 4.4 for the semi final involving Sri Lanka and Australia, the channel claims.
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.
