GECs
Colors partners Skype; eyes wider social media reach for ‘India’s Got Talent’
MUMBAI: As a step towards expanding the reach of social platform for India’s Got Talent across the world, Colors has inked a first of its kind brand association with international voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service Skype.
With this association, India’s Got Talent, which is currently in its sixth season, aims to get viewers a step closer to the show, its judges, hosts and contestants.
Skype has created an exclusive ID called ‘IGTonColors’ to facilitate interactions with judges, hosts and this seasons enthralling talent. Through this, users will be able to connect with like-minded fans of the show, gain access to exclusive India’s Got Talent content, and send any questions they may have to the judges and presenters. Focusing on bridging gaps and connecting people, the Skype integration will showcase the features of the internet-based calling service keeping encouragement and support for contestants, hosts and judges at the helm of its positioning.
Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “Colors has always been at the forefront as far as optimum use of digital media is concerned and has a robust presence across all digital platforms. This first of its kind partnership between an Indian television show and an internationally acclaimed internet-calling service major is a move towards heightening engagement avenues and create direct connect with the viewers. Our integration with Skype is a step towards expanding the reach of social platform for India’s Got Talent across the world. By integrating Skype online as well as on-air, we aim to highlight that while this service brings you one step closer to your loved ones, India’s Got Talent strives to achieve the same by recognising outstanding Indian talent.”
Skype general manager audience marketing Angie Hill added, “We are excited to be working with this seasons India’s Got Talent on Colors. The collaboration is the perfect example of ways in which our users can interact naturally with the things that matter to them. Whether that be questions to the judges, hosts or even the talent, Skype users have the unique opportunity to engage with the show and get a lot more from their viewing experience, by simply using the Skype ID ‘IGTonColors’.”
The partnership intends to give a unique broadcasting experience, which Skype aims to give users all around the world.
Using the Skype ID, viewers can connect with the show’s judges, contestants etc via chat. Additionally, viewers can also take part in competitions running on Skype with prizes including tickets to the exclusive India’s Got Talent Grand Finale on 27 June, 2015.
Skype will also enable exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the show for viewers including Behind the Talent Webisodes featuring highlights from the show, bloopers and exclusive interviews with judges, presenters and contestants.
To be led by social media host, Meiyang Chang, the series will give viewers an uninhibited glimpse into the mind-numbing talent interspersed with humor as Chang shares his expert opinions on the performances. The same will be available for viewing at www.colors.in.com/igtskype
The sixth season of the show premiered on 17 April on Colors, with Karan Johar, Kirron Kher and Malaika Arora Khan taking their place at the judges’ desk while Bharti Singh and Nakuul Mehta donned the hats of the anchors.
India’s Got Talent is aired every weekend at 9 pm.
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
