GECs
Tara Marathi to start distance learning programmes
The revamped Tara Marathi is ready for the second phase of its relaunch with a slew of new programmes and novel concepts that kick off 13 May.
Prime among these is a distance learning programme in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai. For the first time, the institute has tied up with a television channel to offer certificate courses in cooking and baking through a six week crash course. The course will be conducted through half hour episodes four and two times a week respectively, at the end of which applicants will take examinations at specially designated centres in Mumbai, Pune and Goa before being granted certificates. While the cookery and bakery crash courses will be followed by regular 13 week courses in the same subjects, the channel is also toying with the idea of starting English speaking courses in collaboration with another reputed institute.
The concept is the brainchild of Sapna Chaturvedi, managing director of Eternal Dreams, the company that has taken over the task of revamping the programming, marketing and distribution of the ailing Marathi satellite channel. Tara Marathi is part of the four channel bouquet offered by the Rathikant Basu promoted Broadcast Worldwide. While BWW recently handed over operations of Tara Bangla to independent agency Rainbow, Eternal Dreams, that has handled ad sales for various channels thus far, has taken over the entire running of Tara Marathi. “We want to concentrate on expanding the viewers’ choice. We are sure that if the Marathi viewer is given the opportunity and the quality, he will shift from Hindi channels to Marathi”, she says. The afternoon slot for the distance education shows are meant as a respite from the soap and serial routine on all other channels. The fee of Rs 895 for the courses covers a book and a kit for the entire course, she says.
Since the relaunch on 17 March, Chaturvedi has introduced, apart from a new logo and signature tune, a variety of new programming – including dubbed versions of B R Chopra’s Mahabharat, Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, Jai Shri Krishna and Jai Ganga Maiyya. Chaturvedi says she is not interested in picking winning strategies from rivals Alpha and ETV and is instead concentrating on building a distinctive image for Tara. Ironically, however, the show that has picked up best in the ratings game is ‘Teesara Dola’, a thriller that has been earlier telecast on Doordarshan Sahyadri. Eternal Dreams has already sunk in Rs 10 million in the 50:50 joint venture with BWW for turning around Tara Marathi. While novel shows like Atmakatha ( that chronicles the life stories of well known Marathi artistes) and Abhimaan ( which profiles young Marathi achievers) are slowly picking up, Chaturvedi says the channel already has over 30 advertisers on board.
The channel is now planning ground events in five or six cities in the state to promote the new look in the next 10 days; apart from the hoardings and press publicity that has been pressed into service.
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.
