GECs
Zee TV the leader amongst GECs
MUMBAI: As per the recently released BARC HSM weekly data (Urban + Rural) for week 20 ’18, Zee TV has claimed the top position in Hindi GEC space with 316640 impressions in HSM and 199155 impressions in urban markets and saw a robust growth across its primetime fiction shows. The channel continued to be a leader for four consecutive weeks with an average of 327938 impressions’ 000 in HSM.
Despite the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Zee TV remained unaffected and was the only channel that grew 3% during the season. It was also No. 1 in prime time with 182894 impressions in ‘000 on the back of its top shows including Kundali Bhagya, Kumkum Bhagya and Ishq Subhaan Allah. The channel was also the leader across its primetime slots from 9:00 P.M. to 11:30 P.M. on weekdays with its shows – Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Ishq Subhan Allah, Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se and Jeet Gayi Toh Piya Morre and weekends 9:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. with DID Li’l Masters.
Commenting on the ratings, Zee TV, Deputy Business Head, Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “The continuous success of our fiction and non-fiction offerings is truly overwhelming. Zee TV has grown by leaps and bounds on the back of interesting concepts and storylines and our success stands proof to our steadily strengthening relationship with our viewers. We are extremely thrilled to be the number one Hindi general entertainment channel and humbled by the constant support of our partners and audience.”
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
