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Zee & Sony agree to sell three hindi channels to address CCI’s anti competition concerns
Mumbai: Sony and Zee have agreed to sell three hindi channels voluntarily – Big Magic, Zee Action, and Zee Classic – in order to address potential anti-competitive concerns raised by their proposed mega-merger. The regulator made public its detailed 58-page order on Wednesday, more than three weeks after giving its approval for the transaction.
According to the order, the two groups have agreed to divest Big Magic, a hindi general entertainment channel, as well as Zee Action and Zee Classic, both Hindi film channels.
They voluntarily agreed to the modification to the proposed deal after CCI determined that the deal would have a significant adverse effect on competition.
They presented their proposal to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which approved the deal with conditions on 4 October.
CCI announced on October 4 that it had approved the “merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Bangla Entertainment Private Limited (BEPL) with Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (CME), with certain modifications”.
Previously, CME was known as Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd. (SPNI). In September 2021, ZEEL announced a non-binding term sheet with SPNI to merge their linear networks, digital assets, production operations, and programme libraries.
Deals exceeding a certain threshold must be approved by CCI, which seeks to ensure fair competition in the marketplace.
CCI announced on 4 October that it had cleared the proposed Zee-Sony merger deal, which was announced in September of last year.
To ensure fair competition in the relevant markets, the regulator has also mandated that the purchaser meet a number of requirements before purchasing the three channels.
One of the requirements is that the buyer not be “Star India Private Limited or Viacom18 Media Private Limited (including their respective affiliates)”.
The purchaser should be completely independent of and unconnected to the resulting entity and its affiliates. According to the order, it also cannot be a former or current employee or director (or the spouse or child of such an employee or director).
Among other things, the purchaser must have the financial resources, expertise, and incentive to keep and grow the divestment business as a viable and active competitor to the parties and/or the parties’ affiliates.
“The purchaser should neither be likely to create any prima facie competition concerns, nor give rise to a risk that the implementation of the order will be delayed, and must, in particular, reasonably be expected to obtain all necessary approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities for the acquisition and operation of the divestment business,” the order said.
The CCI further stated that the planned merger would be judged to have had a significant detrimental impact on competition in India if the parties did not comply with the voluntary adjustments presented.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
