GECs
US consumers increasingly interested in HDTV: Dove study
BOSTON: Awareness of high-definition television (HDTV) among US consumers is quite high, according to a newly-released Dove Consulting study. Eighty one per cent of survey respondents expressed general familiarity with HDTV. Nearly, 13 per cent of consumers indicated that they currently have an HD-capable TV.
Not too along ago, the concept of HDTV was alien and the question of ownership did not come into play. Of those surveyed, six per cent of all consumers have purchased an HDTV within the past six months.
Additionally, 7.6 per cent of consumers are considering buying an HDTV within six months. Around 47 per cent said that they would consider making this decision within the next three years. Conversely just 13 per cent expressed disinterest.
The Dove 2003 HDTV Survey examined consumer awareness of HDTV, interest in viewing HDTV, links between types of programming and HDTV, and consumers’ willingness to pay for HDTV programming. The survey was administered via email to consumers in the US. The firm received 1,658 completed responses over a two-week period.
Additional highlights from the study include:
* People with HDTVs watch twice as many DVDs per month than non-HDTV consumers.
* Thirty-two per cent of all HDTV owners surveyed indicated that they would consider switching providers for HD programming.
* More than three-fourths of HDTV owners are willing to pay a fee for an HD programming package.
* HDTV owners are more interested in sports content. HDTV creates a high value proposition for people who value the audio and sharp visual images associated with a sporting event.
MD Dove’s Consumer Broadband practice Bob Davis said:” HDTV owners have the potential to become very valuable customers through fee-based and subscription services.”
Davis states that Dove has been advising clients in the Consumer Broadband industry for ten years. “We have worked with a variety of cable operators, cable networks, equipment manufacturers, and other broadband service providers on strategy, organisation design, new product development, and brand,” Davis adds.
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.
