GECs
Industry celebrates Punit Goenka’s achievements over the years
Mumbai: Punit Goenka has held the position of MD & CEO at ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. since 2010 and has achieved numerous notable successes during his tenure. His extensive experience, deep industry knowledge, and exceptional leadership skills have set him apart as a prominent figure in the media and entertainment sector. He is widely recognized for his pivotal role in establishing ZEE as a global entertainment brand, reaching audiences not only in India but also in 190 countries worldwide. With the support and confidence of India Inc., shareholders, employees, advertisers, and content creators, Goenka, at the age of just 48, possesses the necessary business acumen to guide the envisioned merger of ZEE and Sony towards a promising future.
Goenka, boasts more than two decades of experience in the media and entertainment industry, stands as one of the most accomplished business leaders in the sector, characterized by his acute business acumen. Over a span of three decades, he has steered ZEE successfully, identifying trends and transforming it into a media and entertainment powerhouse.
Distinguished as one of the youngest and most prolific leaders, he has an impressive list of achievements to his credit. His profound understanding of audience preferences has been instrumental in driving ZEE’s expansion into regional markets, revitalizing the studio business, launching India’s second-largest music label, and more.
His active involvement in shaping the future of the entertainment landscape spans diverse capacities. Currently, he serves as a board director for the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF). In the past, he held the position of Chairman of the TV measurement body BARC India, playing a crucial role in its founding team. He has also served as Chairman of IBDF, leading important discussions with policymakers. Additionally, as the President of the International Advertising Association’s (IAA) India Chapter, he addressed crucial industry-level interests and introduced several intellectual properties tailored to the advertising and marketing community. In many of these roles, he was re-elected for a second term by unanimous member consensus.
Goenka’s success in elevating ZEE’s performance over the years stems from his ability to identify opportune moments for scaling and constructing a diversified portfolio. His forward-looking vision has propelled the company to global recognition, with ZEE establishing an international presence in over 190 countries and reaching more than 1.3 billion viewers. In his capacity as the leader of India’s largest publicly-listed Media and Entertainment Company, Goenka demonstrates a profound understanding of the overall legal and regulatory environment. He remains unwavering in his commitment to creating value for all the company’s shareholders.
Leading an impressive portfolio that encompasses 50 domestic channels, 36 international channels, an OTT platform, a movie studio, and a music label, his experience in consistently managing profitability and surpassing industry margins quarter after quarter positions him well to replicate the success of ZEE within the anticipated merged entity, which is poised to become a formidable force in the Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector.
Goenka’s unwavering and optimistic approach equips him to navigate challenging circumstances, as exemplified when TRAI introduced the New Tariff Order, creating uncertainty for businesses. In response, he actively engaged with partners and key stakeholders to facilitate solutions that fostered the growth of the pay-tv ecosystem. His profound understanding of both technology and content, two crucial elements in today’s evolving entertainment landscape, underscores his competence. Notably, Goenka enjoys robust support from ZEE’s shareholders and investors, and he has cultivated substantial industry relationships. His ability to prioritize the interests of all stakeholders in his decision-making process is a hallmark of his leadership.
Hailing from an entrepreneurial background, he has instilled strong values and an entrepreneurial spirit within ZEE, fostering an environment where talent can flourish under his guidance. ZEE is recognized today as an Academy of Talent, nurturing numerous industry luminaries to their pinnacle of success.
Continuing to attract top-tier talent to the company, not only from the M&E industry but also from sectors such as FMCG and Banking, is a testament to Goenka’s ability. In an M&E industry facing a shortage of high-quality talent, particularly for an organization of ZEE’s scale, his talent acquisition strategy is pivotal for ensuring stability and growth. He has demonstrated his readiness to make tough decisions when they are necessary for the company’s profitability and the collective interests of all stakeholders. This includes the strategic exit from sports broadcasting when it wasn’t financially prudent, followed by a robust re-entry into the sports business, capitalizing on improved monetization opportunities in the segment.
@punitgoenka – having been one of the torch bearers of Media & Entertainment in India – more power to you to lead innovation and disruption in the next decade
— Ronnie Screwvala (@RonnieScrewvala) October 30, 2023
This order is paving way for consolidated Zee-Sony to take birth and emerge as a force under the leadership of Punit Goenka.
It has been 2+ years since merger was announced.
Time for shareholders to reap benefits soon of a listed media MNC in India.https://t.co/MxDQN6JKFE
— Shriram Subramanian (@reachShriram) October 30, 2023
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
