Music and Youth
Zee Music UK goes free-to-air from mid November
MUMBAI: Seems like Zee UK is bitten by the festive bug, the Networks music channel, Zee Music’s UK feed will now be free to air from 15 November. Also a revamp in the programming line up is in store to attract new subscribers to its bouquet of channels.
Currently a 1,66,000 strong subscriber base, both on DTH and cable, in the UK, the four channel (Zee TV, Zee Music, Zee Cinema and Alpha ETC Punjabi), bouquet is touted to be popular amongst the Asian community there.
Available on Sky Digital EPG 809, Zee Music and was the first Asian music channel to arrive in the UK four years ago. But recently, the music channel has been facing stiff competition from its biggest rival B4U Music, which is broadcasting free-to-air for several months now after a tough time gaining subscribers. Additionally to that, B4U has also introduced some new programming initiative, say media reports.
So with the holidays coming in, Zee Music’s offer to go FTA seems to be a bid to allow them to promote their other offerings to potential subscribers. The officials however have not set any dates to revert back to being subscription based only.
Zee Music is looking at a complete overhaul in its programming line up. While a string of UK based shows including Sorted, Trendz and Hot Shots are facing the axe, Mutz Cutz-a weekly email request show will be extended to an hour. Zee Music officials are reported to have other “big” plans to garner further interest in the channel.
The new head of Zee Network in the UK & Europe, Subroto Bhattacharya, who has been in the position for five months, has additionally also committment to UK based programming and music shows, adds the reports.
MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.
The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.
But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.
Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.
After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.
Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.
