GECs
WWIL, Zee News begin trading; price range as per market expectations
MUMBAI: The debut performance of Wire & Wireless India Ltd (WWIL) and Zee News Ltd (ZNL), Zee Group’s demerged entities, on the boursess was along market expectation lines.
Though WWIL, the cable distribution company, opened at the BSE much lower at Rs 80, it inched up to touch a high of Rs 139.80 before closing the day at Rs 120.80. Putting their faith on digitalisation, analysts had predicted the scrip to trade in the region of Rs 120-140.
ZNL, on the other hand, opened higher at Rs 50 even as the market had expected it to be valued at Rs 35. The scrip touched a high of Rs 58.85 before tapering off to a low of Rs 33.65 and closing Wednesday’s trading at Rs 34.40.
Speaking to a business channel, Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra said WWIL would touch a revenue of Rs 10 billion in 12 months but the company would still not be profitable as it is in an investment mode. The multi-system operator (MSO) has already seeded 155000 set-top boxes (STBs) in the Cas (conditional access system) areas, enjoying a 50 per cent market share.
ZNL should end the current fiscal with a revenue of Rs 1.8-2 billion and the target in five years is to have a turnover of around Rs 10 billion, Chandra said. The company is planning to launch a Marathi news channel this month.
Meanwhile, another media and entertainment company listed on the bourses today. Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision closed at a premium of Rs 228, or 42 per cent higher from its IPO price.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
