GECs
Zee ups consumer push for Dish TV
NEW DELHI: Sensing that the Tata-Star combine, which got a green signal last week from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), for a joint venture company, is all set to up gears as far as its direct-to-home (DTH) venture is concerned, Dish TV too is attempting to smoothen out the rough edges. Especially those related to marketing.
Dish TV is the brand name under which Subhash Chandras companies, ASC Enterprises and Zee Telefilms, are implementing the countrys first KU-band DTH service.According to Zee Tele vice-chairman Jawahar Goel, a new initiative relating to DTH distributors, aimed at facilitating easy accessibility for consumers, is being planned soon. “The distributor locator scheme through SMS (over mobile telephony) would be put in place within a few days so that consumers interested in the DTH service would find it easier to know more about the service,” he added.
Under the new scheme, any person can send an SMS to a re-designated number, which would be heavily advertised by Dish TV, giving his/her area of residence or wherever the DTH hardware is to be installed. A reply would be generated wherein the details of a distributor nearest to the senders location would be provided.
Alternately, a prospective DTH consumer can go to ASC Enterprises and/or Zee Telefilms sites to locate a Dish TV distributor in his/her city of choice.
This move has been initiated, Goel pointed out, as the feedback has been that people have been finding it difficult to locate distributors for the DTH service.
Dish TV is also looking at increasing the number of channels being offered to consumers, which would go up to 100 from the existing 48-odd at present, including new inductees in the form of ESPN and Star Sports.
Quite a few of the probable new channels have been tied up, while work is continuing on others, Goel said.
In this connection, it is learnt that ASC Enterprises group president and CEO Punit Goenka is scheduled to visit Cannes in France for the MIP TV event, with an aim to do some content shopping.
Meanwhile, Dish TV logo too has undergone a change and the new avatar can be seen on leaflets being distributed currently by the company.
Asked about the reason behind the new logo, Goel said that internally people wanted some changes and so it was done.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
