GECs
Discovery Jeet gets good spread at launch
MUMBAI: Discovery Jeet, the latest entrant from Discovery Communications India, makes its debut in the Hindi GEC genre with a Chrome OTS of 66.6% translating to 54.5 million households across a universe of 81.9 million households in Urban India. Within the Hindi speaking markets, this translates to an OTS of 78.1% equivalent to 45.4 million households across an HSM universe of 58.2 million households. Within the 6 metros, this translates to an OTS of 72.6% equivalent to 22.4 million households – As per the Chrome DM data at 1pm, 12-02.2018. (While the channel has got its distribution in rural households, the data is not represented in this current study. The number would be much higher if one were to take the figure for both Urban+ Rural ).
For a perspective, a comparative analysis on the availability of Discovery Jeetvis-à-visStar Plus and Star Bharathasbeen done,the following are its numbers:
OTS is the actual census based, percentage connectivity of a channel covering 168 million homes, reported by Chrome Data Analytics and Media, spread across Analog cable, Digital Cable and DTH. The same is updated and reported to 400+ channels on a daily basis in Chrome Track 2.0.
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.
