MAM
BARC floats RFPs for new TV ratings system
MUMBAI: For long, there has been a hue and cry about the progress of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) and the development of an alternative TV ratings system. Things finally seem to be moving now. Earlier this month, BARC chairman Punit Goenka announced the hiring of industry veteran Partho Dasgupta as its CEO.
Today, BARC has announced that it has issued the request for proposals (RFPs) asking global tech and research vendors to pitch in with their offers to revamp India‘s allegedly rickety existing TV rating system. This follows the overwhelming response it got for the request for information forms it had issued earlier.
Says Zee MD & CEO and BARC chairman Punit Goenka, MD & CEO of ZEE: “We are happy with the interest shown by global vendors of technology and research in our project. The RFPs are going out to all of them. This will be followed by discussions and evaluation of these proposals.”
Adds BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta: “This is our second step towards initiating a cutting edge measurement system which will see marriage of technology and research. The first step was the establishment survey which the TechCom (technical committee) led by Shashi Sinha and Paritosh Joshi has already initiated.”
Brands
ZEEL transfers syndication business, invests Rs 505 crore in IP push
Restructuring, stake buy and FCCB moves signal sharper content strategy
MUMBAI: In the content economy, owning the story is half the battle monetising it is the real game, and Zee Entertainment Enterprises is doubling down on both. The company has approved the transfer of its syndication and content licensing business to its wholly owned subsidiary ZI-IPR Enterprises, alongside an investment of Rs 505 crore aimed at strengthening its play in content intellectual property (IP) acquisition, management and monetisation. The move, effective April 1, 2026, will see the business transferred on a slump sale basis at book value, including all associated assets, liabilities and commercial rights effectively consolidating IP operations under a more focused structure.
At its core, the restructuring signals a strategic shift. As content consumption increasingly fragments across digital and global platforms, the value of IP lies not just in creation but in how efficiently it can be distributed, repackaged and monetised across markets. By housing its syndication engine within ZI-IPR Enterprises, ZEEL appears to be building a more agile and scalable ecosystem, one that can better extract value from its vast content library while adapting to evolving distribution models.
But the company’s ambitions are not limited to restructuring. ZEEL has also approved an investment of up to Rs 20.09 crore in Culture of Real Experiences (CORE), acquiring a 51 per cent stake in the entity. The move expands its footprint into the broader creative and experiential space, suggesting a push beyond traditional broadcasting into areas where content, culture and immersive experiences intersect.
At the same time, ZEEL has moved to tidy up its financials, approving the redemption of $23.9 million in outstanding foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) and cancelling an unused $215.1 million commitment. The twin steps are expected to ease pressure on its treasury, freeing up capital and improving financial flexibility as the company invests more aggressively in its IP strategy.
Taken together, the decisions reflect a company in recalibration mode streamlining legacy structures, sharpening its focus on content ownership, and exploring new avenues for growth. In a market where the lines between television, streaming and experiential entertainment are increasingly blurred, ZEEL’s latest moves suggest it is not just creating content, but building a system to make that content travel further and pay better.
