GECs
StarOne’s flagship show ‘Laughter Challenge’ ends on a high note
MUMBAI: Star One’s flagship show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge (TGILC) clocked an all-time high of 10.2 TVR in its final appearance, making it the eighth most watched show among Hindi viewers in the C&S homes.
In fact, TGILC is the highest rated comedy show in the last three years, according to Tam data . In the 15 weeks of its total run, the show reached 19.8 million viewers. And in Star One’s TG (CS ABC 4+ 8 metros 1Mn+), it rated 13.52 TVR.
The show recorded the highest ratings in Mumbai, delivering 17.61 TVRs in the C&S 4+ TG. While Delhi enjoyed 12.08 TVR, Kolkata recorded 7.45 TVR.
Apart from getting Star One on track in terms of the upward climb, the show also managed to outwit competition in the
10 -11 pm slot with the TGILC leading in the time band with a huge margin.
Interestingly, TGILC has been a very low cost proposition, with industry estimates pegging the total cost of the show including marketing at below Rs 200 million.
Says Star one programming head Ravi Menon, “The numbers clocked by TGILC is a clear indication on how the show has gained popularity steadily with the audiences. Secondly, it also is a statement which proves that one does not need international formats to create television blockbusters, but well thought through home grown formats also deliver at par if not better.”
Menon further added that the laughter challenge is a classical example of a home grown format and the show has actually brought about a revival of stand up comedy in India.
The success of the comedy-based shows ( The Great Indian Comedy Show and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge) in attracting high ratings has inspired Star One to continue investing in this genre. Replacing TGILC in the Friday 10 pm – 11 pm slot will be another humour-based show titled The Great Indian Laughter Champion starting tonight (16 September) for the next 13 weeks.
Explains Menon, “The Great Indian Laughter Champion is an enriched form of the TGILC. The humour will be more refined and tongue- in-cheek. I expect this show also to clock and consolidate at around 10 TVR. “
Star One aims at increasing penetration in semi-metros by capitalising on the laughter challenge equity. The agenda ahead is to take the laughter challenge brand on-ground weaving concepts around the central theme of the show in time to come.
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.
