GECs
‘Fear Factor’ runs into hot water with the American Humane Association
In India reality show Fear Factor may be running on AXN without a hitch but in America it has created a storm. The American Humane Association (AHA) has alleged that television networks NBC and CBS have made a conscious corporate decision to condone the killing and abuse of animals simply to jack up ratings.
Viewers expressed great disapproval over the 11 March episode of Fear Factor on NBC. AHA claims to have received statements from viewers finding the blatant disregard for animal safety appalling. Responses indicated ‘extreme concern, disgust, and anger.’ There is tension over the fact that the marketing of animal cruelty, regardless of species, sends the message to a large audience of kids that violence against animals is a valid and acceptable form of entertainment.
Veterinarians, herpetologists, and professional animal trainers have confirmed that the snakes on Fear Factor showed evidence of trauma and injury. A profesional made the following statement, “A snake has a backbone comprised of many, fine and delicate ribs which are easily broken. Their skin is fragile, as is their musculature. From what we viewed, many of these snakes suffered permanent injuries and unnecessary abuse for the sole purpose of entertainment”.
Besides Fear Factor, Survivor has also come under a cloud. In an official release AHA has stated that its Film and Television Unit regards the shows mistreatment of animals as being completely unacceptable.
VP AHA’s Western Regional Office Karen Goschen said, “The mission of AHA’s Film and TV Unit is to protect everything from ants to elephants because all life should be respected. By sending the message that it is okay to disregard the lives of even the smallest animals, NBC and CBS are disregarding public cries for compassion.
If we permit the abuse and exploitation of animals in reality entertainment, we stand the danger of encouraging additional abuse in the real world. AHA has received complaints regarding ‘Fear Factor’, Survivor, Murder in Small Town X, and Real TV.
Professional trainers in the film industry say they refuse to work on these shows because the producers demand stunts that violate AHA’s “Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media”, including killing animals. However AHA has no jurisdiction over reality shows and producers state that since they have not technically broken laws, they will not adhere to AHA’s Guidelines.
AHA’s Film and Television Unit claims to have protected animal actors for over 60 years and its Guidelines are considered the industry standard. Most entertainment products for television, motion picture, commercials, and video markets fall under its jurisdiction and are eligible for the well-known “no animal was harmed” disclaimer the release states.
Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association claims to be America’s only national non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting children and animals from cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
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.
