GECs
SET sets forth plan to narrow gap with Star
MUMBAI: After some months of giving over the limelight completely to sister channel MAX courtesy the World Cup, Sony Entertainment India’s flagship channel SET is ready to take centre-stage again.
SET today outlined a programming and marketing strategy for the coming year that it hopes will strengthen its No. 2 position in the Hindi entertainment stakes while at the same time reducing the gap with lead channel Star Plus.
Elaborating on Sony’s programming strategy, SET executive vice president Sunil Lulla said: “This is a critical year for Sony and we are determined to grow our franchise by focusing on creating differentiated products and directing Sony’s creative development at India’s most significant demographic mix – men and women, 25-34 SEC ABC.”
As reported in February on indiantelevision.com, SET is launching five new prime-time shows. Additionally, its long-running dance talent show Boogie Woogie returns in a jazzed up and reformatted avatar.
The shows that roll out over the next six weeks are:
Ab Ayega Mazzaa an interactive response show that might just be able to give a run for its money to some of the city-centred infotainment shows that feature on the news channels sprouting all over the place. Ab Ayega Mazzaa promises to offer a mix of entertainment glamour and information. Premieres Monday, 28 April at 8 pm.
Kuch Kehti Hai Yeh Dhun adapted from the international musical show Name That Tune, the long-in-gestation musical game show has Raageshwari as its host. Premieres Monday, 28 April at 8:30 pm.
Sambhav Asambhav – a drama based on the popular Gujarati novel by Harkishan Mehta is set against the backdrop of reincarnation. Premieres Thursday, 1 May at 8:30 pm.
Crime Patrol, a “live action” series that takes the viewers behind the scenes to see the police in “real” action. Lulla clarified that it was unlike the Police Files that airs on Star World in that the shooting is not recreated from police case files by actors but real live shots. Premieres Friday, 9 May at 10:30 pm.
Naam Gum Jayega a family drama that explores the influence of religion and culture on its two protagonists. Now this looks interesting. The series, made by Vipul D Shah and Shobhana Desai, is about two girls who were switched at birth and grow up in Muslim and Hindu households. After 22 years they discover their real parents and have to adjust to the new realities. Queried as to whether the show would be given an extended run unlike the fate that befell two earlier attempts at being different Dhadkan (a medical drama) and Hubahu (about twins switching identities), Lulla said the series was planned with an extended duration in mind. Careful background work had gone into the creation of the show keeping all issues in mind, he said. Launch date still to be announced.
Boogie Woogie relaunch of the popular dance show as a nationwide amateur talent hunt. Premieres 28 May at 8 pm. Boogie Woogie will be actively supported by Sony Music, Lulla said, with dance videos of some of the kids on the anvil.
Lulla also revealed that the next quarter would see the Indian adaptation of the hit Spanish soap Betty La Fea which has had succesful runs in over 25 countries across the globe.
Marketing activities would form a key ingredient of all SET’s future plans and multi-media campaigns would be crucial to driving SET’s theme proposition: “Are you ready for Sony”, Lulla stated. The viewer certainly seems to be ready for fresh fare that moves off the “saas-bahu” trail. And with the huge lift the World Cup gave to the network as a whole, SET will be hoping that the consumer takes to, rather than just samples, what it has to offer.
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.
