GECs
KHMC helps ETV’s viewership go up by 47 %
MUMBAI: From Who wants to be a Millionaire to Kaun Banega Crorepati to Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati, the game show format has travelled a long way.
Earlier this year, ETV Marathi announced the launch of the adapted version KBC. “When KBC was launched in Hindi, it changed the genre. Also nothing like this had ever happened in the Marathi genre. So, our main objective was to change the perspective of the channel and portray ETV as a pioneer in creating such breakthrough shows,” says ETV business head and EVP Viacom18 Anuj Poddar.
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ETV business head & EVP Viacom18 Anuj Poddar
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The channel which already has two game shows (Divided and Aata Tumhi Maalamaal) in its stable had high expectations from KHMC that targeted Marathi manoos who are educated and up-to-date on the latest happenings in India and the world. The channel wanted to focus on the youth who don’t have any language barrier to come back to the regional channel. “If the content is appealing enough, I’m sure they would come to a Marathi channel,” reasons Poddar.
In May, the show was first premiered on the channel and has been able to create a buzz in the genre. “The sheer reach of the show is enough to tell us how it is different from the rest. The number of people who want to be on the hot seat or just sit at home and win is just amazing,” says Poddar who goes to elaborate on how the show which ends in September has helped the channel take a jump in its viewership and strengthen itself.
The channel has recorded a 47 per cent growth in channel viewership (WK01-04, 2013 Vs WK26-29, 20-13). “Compared to our peers it is a big jump to have in six months and most of it has happened in the past three months,” proudly claims Poddar.
He adds, “And looking at the numbers, our advertisers are happy too.” KHMC which is presented by New Fair & Lovely and powered by Idea is the single highest revenue driver for the channel which has seen newer advertisers coming onboard because of the show.
Host of the show Sachin Khedekar with a contestant on the hot seat
The channel which claims to be the first to experiment with homegrown non-fiction formats like Gaurav Maharashtracha, Dholkicha Taalavar, Superfast Comedy Express and Crime Diary is confident to bring back as bigger and better season two of KHMC.
As for the Marathi genre’s growth, Poddar says that the revolution can be divided into three stages. “First being the launch of regional channels by networks. The second was when Star Pravah was launched which saw an uplift in the content and now the third phase is when all three competitors (Zee, ETV and Star) see a three-way fight and because of it the audience will benefit as they will see a better and innovative content,” he says.
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.
