GECs
Star appoints Ross Crowley as senior VP programming
MUMBAI: Star today announced the appointment of Ross Crowley as senior vice president programming. Crowley will be reporting to Star COO Steve Askew.
Crowley will have direct responsibility for Star World and Star Movies. He will also work with the local programming teams in strengthening the companys content development.
A media veteran with over 15 years of experience in the industry, Crowley joins from Foxtel in Australia where he was head of programming, responsible for programming strategy and channel operations across the companys owned and operated channels. Prior to Foxtel, Crowley worked for Nine Network Australia.
Commenting on the appointment, Askew said, “Bringing great content to viewers region-wide is Stars top priority. Ross, with his proven credentials and ability to deliver results, will be a tremendous addition to our team. I have no doubt he will bring a new dimension to our programming development, helping us to further enhance the quality and diversity of our offerings throughout the region.”
“I’m excited to be joining Star, Asias leading broadcaster, and in particular, having the opportunity to work with its talented team. Adding to Star’s programming strengths, as the company grows in the region, is one of the challenges I look forward to,” said Crowley.
Crowley holds a Bachelors degree in Management Studies from Waikato University in New Zealand.
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.
