GECs
Kaveri in fresh programme initiative
Asianet Kaveri, the Kannada language channel which has been struggling to make its presence felt ever since its launch in June 2000, is lining up a number of serials, comedy shows, tele-films, talk shows and game shows in the coming month to shore up its fortunes.
Kaveri also plans to introduce a mega contest (Monday to Friday) to viewers shortly. The viewer will be able to call a given telephone number and the results will be announced on the same day while the 10 PM programme is on air.
Kaveri will be introducing state-of-the-art technology so as to guarantee quality in transmission and programming, a company release states. Kaveri is also roping in icons of the entertainment industry who will be at the helm of affairs, the release adds.
And in another effort to raise the profile of the channel, the first EXO Asianet Kaveri Film Award’s 2001 was held on Sunday at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bangalore in the presence of popular personalities from the Kannada Film Industry. The nominations were selected from the viewers through a poll form published in various newspapers and among cable operators.
“Kaveri needs some dedicated nurturing because the market out there is still untapped and I see it as a challenge,” Asianet COO Mohan Nair had said in February when queried about his plans for the channel.
Kaveri is a 50:50 joint venture between Asianet and Zee Telefilms. data.
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.
