News Broadcasting
Zee plans bonds issue to fund DTH, movies
MUMBAI: It has put all its fingers in as many pies and is gunning for more. Obviously, it needs funds to keep the mega plans going. So, Zee Telefilms is planning to raise funds through a bonds issue in the international market to finance its ongoing and upcoming ventures. Zee Telefilms director-finance Hitesh Vakil told indiantelevision.com that the company has secured RBI clearance to raise up to $ 90 million in funds by way of debt.
The finance is being sought for multiple reasons. The media major is looking to infuse capital into conditional access equipment and its direct to home (DTH) venture that was soft launched by ASC Enterprises Ltd on 2 October 2003. Zee’s DTH platform is already operational and is marketing the network’s various channels.
RBI clearance for raising up to $ 90 million obtained
Applied towards
Direct to home (DTH) venture
Conditional access equipment
Production of feature films by Zee’s Films Division
Paying out high cost debts and the over-riding interest of Zee and its subsidiaries
The funds would also be used for producing feature films made by the Zee Telefilms Ltd Films Division. Zee’s film division had started with the block buster Hindi film Gadar – Ek Prem Katha. Films Division CEO Nittin Keni had told indiantelevision.com in an interview earlier that three movies were in the pipeline – One Dollar Curry- an Indo-French production directed by Vijay Singh, Khosla Ka Ghosla with Anupam Kher and Bhagmati – a live animation film produced by the Zee Institute of creative Arts and directed by Ashok Kaul.
The films will be distributed by the newly formed Zee Rajshri Film Distribution Company. The company is a tie-up between Zee Telefilms Ltd and Rajshri Pictures P Limited to manage distribution of all films produced or co-produced by Zee, Padmalaya and Rajshri. It will also provide a distribution platform for the entire film industry.
Meanwhile Zee Telefilms is continuing on its ‘cleanliness drive’. The funds generated by the bonds issue will also be channeled towards paying out high cost debts of Zee and its subsidiaries. This, Vakil said, would help Zee save on high interest costs as well.
Zee is going through an extensive reorganisation. In a meeting held on 15 December 2003, the Zee board had approved the merger of group companies ETC Networks and Econnect India Ltd as part of a larger corporate restructuring plan. Earlier in 2003, Zee had tried to clean up its balance sheets by writing off completely corroded investments in its subsidiaries Econnect and Zee Interactive Ltd.
Recently, the company also went through an extensive portfolio reshuffle at the senior management level.
The ZTL board had also approved the merger of five Mauritius based operating entities viz. Software Suppliers International Ltd (SSIL), Zee Telefilms International Ltd (ZTIL – syndication of ZTL content), Zee MGM (managing movie channel MGM), Expand Fast Holding Ltd, BVI (EFHL – providing satellite services to group broadcasting companies) and Asia TV (Africa) Ltd (marketing and distributing the Zee Network in Africa) with Asia Today Ltd, Mauritius (broadcasting of Zee TV and Zee Cinema).
The fresh funds fit in well within the recent restructuring initiative taken up by Zee. This because once Zee gets rid of the high cost debts and the heavy interests riding on them, it would no doubt result in greater operating and cost efficiencies for Zee.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
