News Broadcasting
Zee Media acquires 80% stake in India Today’s entities; to launch shopping channel
MUMBAI: Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) has acquired up to 80 per cent equity stake in Today Merchandise Pvt Ltd (TMPL) and Today Retail Network Pvt Ltd (TRNL), which are wholly owned subsidiaries of India Today Group’s entity Living Media India Ltd. The company plans to invest approximately Rs 165.78 crore over the next four years in scaling up this business.
Today Merchandise and Today Retail Network, which are currently running into losses, have been developing infrastructure for launching a TV shopping channel and also operate an e-commerce website called www.bagittoday.com to complement the TV shopping business.
With this acquisition, Zee Media is not only looking at shortening the launch timing of a TV shopping channel but is also planning to scale up the business at a faster pace.
By June 2016, ZMCL will acquire 49 per cent equity stake by investing approximately Rs 39.78 crore by subscribing to equity shares of TMPL and TRNL, at par value and will have managerial and operational control over the target entities.
Subsequently the company will increase its stake, by investing up to Rs 126 crore over a period of four years, by subscribing to any security convertible into equity shares of the two companies at par value, such that upon conversion, the shareholding of the company shall be 80 per cent of fully diluted capital of TMPL and TRNL.
TMPL was incorporated on 23 November, 2010. During financial years ended 31 March, 2015, 31 March, 2014 and 31 March, 2013, TMPL had achieved turnover of Rs 3.84 crore, Rs 5.25 crore and Rs 5.11 crore respectively.
On the other hand, TRNL was incorporated on 20 August, 2007 and during its financial years ended 31 March, 2015, 31 March, 2014 and 31 March, 2013, TRNL achieved turnover of Rs 37.36 crore, Rs 52.45 crore and Rs 49.80 crore respectively.
ZMCL’s board of directors have in-principal approved the stake acquisition. ZMCL, with its existing broadcast operations, is looking to derive the synergy benefits from this proposed investment.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
