GECs
Channel 7 focuses on non-fiction programmes
NEW DELHI: Channel 7 from the media group Jagran went formally on air today, promising different treatment to its programming tilted towards non-fiction and hopped on to a DTH platform at the same time to increase its reach, which is supplemented by the cable networks it is managing to ride.
The channel, which has been set up to cater to the vast Hindi-speaking audiences, already being targeted by a slew of news channels, has lined up programmes like Giraftaar that do not have any anchor, but is a seamless series of crime stories.
Some interesting shows on Channel 7 included 7 Special (analysis of the top news of the day), Metro Zindagi (news from metros), Showdown (half hour daily cricket show), Swadesh (national news from the states) and Saat Samundar (reportage and analysis of significant global developments).
Other programmes that deserve a special mention include one-on-one interviews by Arup Ghosh in Nishane Par and Mission Zindagi, which highlights a positive aspect of India. What makes these shows different from others is the treatment meted out to them, a channel executive said.
“This is probably the first news show where there is no anchor, but stories, done by reporters, hold themselves on their own,” a senior programming executive of Channel 7 said.
Over the next one month, Channel 7 will unveil more non-fictional programming, including lifestyle ones, with a bid to cater to all types of audiences and not just pre-dominantly male audiences who get attracted towards news channels.
News channels getting into the infotainment arena is increasingly becoming a trend and could be seen even n English ones like NDTV Profit, which is, reportedly, exploring having weekend programmes on the lines of sitcoms.
“Having broadbased programming on the channel also means that one need not have back-to-back news bulletins,” the programming executive explained.
The launch of Channel 7, managed by Jagran TV Pvt.Ltd., marks he entry of Dainik Jagran, a dominant print medium player, into the TV broadcasting arena. The free-to-air Hindi satellite channel is also confident of securing a presence in 28 million households, across 300 cities in the first month of operations itself.
According to Jagran TV director Siddhartha Gupta, “A huge untapped market awaits compelling and analytical news programmes. Our research has brought to light the need for quality non-fiction infotainment. Channel 7 will also actively promote appointment viewing as time band specific programmes are built into the weekly programme schedule to empathise with audience viewing patterns.”
Channel 7 has claimed that it beaming into 15 million homes during the test run period and the number of households will cross the 20 million mark by the end of 2 April.
The channel has planned an extensive print media, radio, outdoor and Internet campaign to market and promote itself, which will start from 7 April. Its marketing and sales teams have already been able to attract a fair share of national advertisers in support of the channel.
Meanwhile, Channel 7 has joined the DishTV platform, which has raised the number of channels to 113. The
information seeking Indian viewer can now watch over 20 news channels on the DishTV platform including exclusive news channels like CNN Headline News, Euro News and Eurosport News, apart from all the other Indian English and Hindi news channels.
Channel 7 is a venture of Jagran TV Pvt Ltd., which is supported by the Jagran Group, the flagship company of the Jagran group of companies. The group floated an independent entity by the name of Jagran TV Private Limited for its foray into Indian television.
The promoters of the channel include Mahendra Mohan Gupta, managing editor and chairman Jagran Prakashan Pvt Ltd and Managing Director Jagran TV; Sanjay Gupta, editor and director Jagran Prakashan Pvt Ltd and Shailesh Gupta, director, marketing, Jagran Prakashan Pvt Ltd.
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.
