GECs
Zee asserts 8% growth for ‘Time Bomb’ viewership
MUMBAI: Zee TV in a statement has claimed that its serial Time Bomb, which refuses to leave the centre stage, is giving a good show. Quoting the aMap ratings, the channel says the viewership graph has projected an upward curve.
While the first episode of Time Bomb generated a rating of 3.3 in the Mumbai market, the second episode telecast on 27 June scored 3.9 TVRs. In the Delhi market, it slipped from 2.7 TVRs to 2.3, while in the Ahmedabad market there is an increase from 2.1 TVRs to 2.5 TVRS. Overall, the increase is from 2.9 TVRs to 3.1 TVRs which has resulted in an eight per cent growth, says the channel.
It is pertinent to note here that it is not TAM India data that has been used to generate the results obtained but aMap (Audience Map) ratings. It was in June 2004 that Audience Measurement and Analytics (AMA) announced the launch of online television ratings system aMap and Zee is their first client.
Zee is currently fighting a court battle against Twentieth Century Fox on the Time Bomb concept’s authenticity. The latter has gone to the Delhi High court alleging that Time Bomb is a plagiarised version of its ongoing thriller 24. The court will resume the hearing on 1 July.
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.
