GECs
Zee launches HD League bouquet targeting affluentials
MUMBAI: The High Definition (HD) feed is clearly a value added proposition. With five popular HD channels under its umbrella namely – Zee TV HD, &Pics HD, Zee cinema HD, Zee Studio HD and Ten Sports HD – Zee has launched the network’s new brand identity- Zee HD League bouquet.
The bouquet will have Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters as well as sports action. It will also include HD content that will exclusively premiere on the bouquet and not on the SD feed.
To begin with Zee TV HD will showcase the World television premiere of the critically acclaimed and award-winning movie The Lunchbox on 8 February. The move, according to a source, is to make the trade as well as the consumer segment aware of the HD offerings by the stable.
Speaking on the launch, ZEEL chief business officer Sunil Buch said, “With close to 40 per cent increase in the sales of flat-panel TVs coupled with an aggressive push by DTH and digital cable players, HD channels continue to gain consumer traction. The bouquet is aimed at giving an enriched viewing experience to the affluential viewers.”
Buch further said that the network will follow a two pronged approach for the same. Firstly, by adding width in terms of new HD channels and secondly by looking at HD exclusive offerings from each of the channels. The pricing will differ from platform to platform.
When queried as to how he views the pattern for HD consumption in India, Sun Direct managing director Mahesh Kumar said, “Incrementally HD feed is becoming more and more attractive because an increasing number of subscribers consume HD. Not a game changer as yet, but we foresee in the next one or two years the HD consumption going up.”
On the other hand, Dish TV chief operating officer Salil Kapoor finds the strategy beneficial for the feed as its overall consumption is picking up. “We have the highest number of HD channels – i.e 39 now and are happy with the focus turning to HD,” he added.
A 360 degree marketing campaign across affluential touch-points such as airports and multiplexes along with special emphasis on digital is being rolled out to promote ZEEL’s new bouquet. ZEEL chief sales officer Ashish Sehgal informed that this was an opportunity for advertisers to sharply target the elusive affluent audience segment.
“HD subscribers have a high skew towards the premium 25+, SEC AB in six metros and are growing at a whopping 50 per cent per annum. By adopting a network approach, we will further strengthen our monetisation strategy by offering advertisers a suite of advertising options across multiple genres,” he concludes.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
