GECs
Equestrian TV show boosts global coverage
MUMBAI: A year after it launched the television magazine FEI Equestrian World has grown in terms of the number of channels that air it. From next month it will air on BBC World in Asia and other territories. Asian viewers can also catch it on ESPN Star Sports and on CNBC Asia. In India the next edition of the show airs on BBC World on 3 March at noon and on 4 March at 5 pm.
More than a competition and sports news magazine, this monthly half-hour programme concentrates on the spirit of the Equestrian and the lifestyle surrounding it. It also focuses on the FEI’s efforts in key areas such as sports development. Interviews with equestrian stars such as Olympic Champion Rodriogo Pessoa of Brazil, Britain’s Pippa Funnell, the only rider to have ever won the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, FEI World Cup Jumping champion Marcus Ehning or American Reiner Shawn Flarida are only a few of the equestrian stars featured in the magazine.
The camera’s investigating eye caught them outside of the usual competition arena. Whether in their kitchen, at the beautician’s or at the golf green, these personalities could be discovered in a more private and softer light.
The importance of breeding, the concerns of horse owners or hippotherapy are also given their importance in the show. FEI Equestrian World is broadcast by several channels. In addition to BBC World the other channels include BBC World, CNBC Europe, ESPN Classic Sport which air it in Europe. Sky airs it in the UK.
BBC World, Art, City 7, Fox Sports; ESPN International air it in the Middle East.
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.
