GECs
NatGeo open to joining DD’s DTH platform
NEW DELHI: National Geographic Channel (NGC), part of the Star bouquet of channels in India, is open to the idea of making available its fare on a variety of platforms, including a subscription free direct-to-home television service being proposed in the country by pubcaster Doordarshan.
Responding to a specific query on DD’s DTH service by a journalist from a business newspaper, NGC (South Asia) MD Zubin Gandevia said, “We are open to the idea.”
Further queried whether NGC is open to joining a DTH platform that would not charge any subscription from its customers – as DD is proposing to do initially when it makes a foray into KU-band TV service some time this year – Gandevia said, “Let them first approach us and then we will take a decision. But, principally speaking, we would like our programming and the channel to be available on as many platforms as possible.”
Pointing out that neither DD nor Dish TV have made an offer to NGC to join their DTH platforms, Gandevia made it clear that NGC, if approached, would “consider all the offers and options.”
Meanwhile, he claimed that NGC would be reaching between 25-30 million cable homes in India, but added, “Don’t ask me for the number of homes we are paid for. It’d be quite shocking.”
Gandevia also ruled out any immediate plan to introduce feeds of NGC or The History Channel (distributed as part of the Star bouquet) in other Indian languages, though he admitted that Bengali and Tamil are two languages that are “always under active consideration” of the company.
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.
