GECs
Star One revamps Friday prime time
MUMBAI: Star One has revamped its Friday prime time, adding two new properties to its line up. The erstwhile Sab TV show Office Office takes a re-birth in Star One as Naya Office Office. On the other hand, the channel is re-launching its detective serial D.O.N on 14 July.
Titled Naya Office Office, the new version of the popular sitcom Office Office will launch on 21 July and has been placed in the 8:30 pm slot. The Great Indian Laughter Champions Dwitiya will air at 9 pm, followed by the new D.O.N at 10 pm. Mano Yo Na Mano retains its 11 pm slot.
Announcing the launch of Naya Office Office, Star India senior creative director Shailja Kejriwal said, “Our success with comedy continues and once again we have looked at fresh concepts that we believe will appeal to our viewers. In its previous avatar, the show has won many hearts and many accolades and we are confident of the continued success with Naya Office Office. Our march to the number two position will be strengthened with a show of this caliber.”
Star One has adopted the strategy of launching the second seasons of its successful programmes in order to win back its lost position in the Hindi GEC space. As already reported, following Naya Office Office and D.O.N in the launch schedule would be the new versions of its celebrity talent hunt property Nach Baliye and the youth-oriented serial Remix.
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.
