GECs
New shows keep the tempo going at Star Plus
MUMBAI: Some observers wondered whether Star India’s management had gone bonkers. Entertainment sweepstakes leader Star Plus was launching a clutch of new high cost shows just before the biggest Indian television spectacle – the cricket World Cup which is likely to eclipse all other television viewing.
But apparently Star India’s management and programming team knows what it is doing. And that has been bolstered by the ratings the newly launched shows have notched up. Kashmeer, Kucch Kar Dikhana Hai, Shararat-Thoda Jaadu Thodi Nazaakat, Karishma Kaa Karishma, all figure in TAM India’s C&S homes Top 50 list for week four, 2003.
The new fare on Star Plus is a mix bag of soaps, serials, game shows. The entire promotional campaign revolving around the new launches seems to have encouraged sampling amongst the viewers.
A Star press release says that the Friday line-up, Karishma Kaa Karishma, opened with a rating of 5.8, Kucch Kar Dikhana Hai with 7.9 and Shararat-Thoda Jaadu Thodi Nazaakat with 6.8 (Source TAM, C&S 4+, 9 cities).
The TAM ratings for week 4 show that Star Plus continues to hold on to the top position and have a grip over the viewers week after week.
To top it all Star Plus in week 4 has managed to capture even more slots of the 50, with its share of the top programmes amongst Hindi entertainment channels going up to 47. Sony Entertainment has the remaining three whereas Zee has drawn a blank.
The 9:00 -10:00 pm shows have also attained all-time high ratings with Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand at 11.0 (as against second placed Sony’s Kkusum at 3.5) on Monday, Kehta Hai Dil with 8.1 (as against second placed Kkusum at 3.5) on Tuesday; and Sanjivani -A Medical Boon with 9.7 (as against second placed Kkusum with 3.8) on Wednesday.
The release states that Star Plus also touched its highest ever all-week 24-hour share of 15.4 per cent in week 4 of 2003 as compared to 15.1 per cent in the week 27 October- 4 November 2002.
The shares for the Monday-Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 pm. slot stood at an astonishing 43 per cent, the release points out. Regional cable with 10 per cent and Sun TV with 6 per cent followed suit.
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.
