Production House
Zee Entertainment redeems FCCBs and restructures content business
Media giant streamlines operations with bond redemption and fresh investments.
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment has just hit the reset button because when you’re rewriting the script, sometimes the best plot twist is a clean balance sheet. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has approved a series of strategic moves, including the redemption of foreign currency bonds and a major restructuring of its content business. The board cleared the redemption of outstanding Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds worth $23.9 million and the cancellation of an unutilised commitment of $215.1 million, following requests from bondholders amid the current geopolitical environment. The decision is expected to have a positive impact on the company’s treasury.
In a key restructuring step, Zee will transfer its content syndication and licensing business to its wholly owned subsidiary, ZI-IPR Enterprises Limited, through a slump sale on a going concern basis. The transfer will take effect from 1 April 2026 at book value, aimed at sharpening focus on content monetisation.
To support the strategy, the company will invest up to Rs 500 crore in optionally convertible debentures and Rs 5 crore in equity in ZI-IPR Enterprises. It has also approved an investment of up to Rs 20.09 crore in Culture of Real Experiences Private Limited to acquire a 51 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis, to be made in phases.
Both ZI-IPR Enterprises and Core are newly incorporated entities with no reported turnover in FY25. The investment in ZI-IPR qualifies as a related-party transaction, while the CORE acquisition does not.
These moves reflect Zee’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations, strengthen its content ecosystem and explore diversification into creative and experiential segments.
In the fast-paced world of Indian media, where content is king and cash is its loyal subject, Zee has chosen to tidy the treasury and sharpen the crown proving that even entertainment giants know when it’s time for a strategic plot twist.
Film Production
Lionsgate Play to bring Hollywood blockbusters to Indian cinemas before streaming
The American studio bets that Indian audiences will pay for the big screen before settling for the sofa
CALIFORNIA: Hollywood is coming to Indian multiplexes. Lionsgate Play announced it will release 10 to 12 major Hollywood films in Indian cinemas every year starting September 2026, before moving them to its streaming platform. The message is simple: see it on the big screen first, or wait.
The opening theatrical slate is starry. Russell Crowe leads Billion Dollar Spy, Gerard Butler fronts Empire City, Robert Pattinson stars in Primetime, and Mark Wahlberg leads By Any Means. A creature feature, Titan (Snake), rounds out the early titles. None are small bets.
The platform is also bringing back one of its signature series. Heated Rivalry, which built a strong following after its debut, returns in 2027. The show, noted for its character-driven storytelling, will continue exploring its central relationships in a second season drawn from Reid’s follow-up novel.
Rohit Jain, founder of Lionsgate Play Asia, said the theatrical-first approach gives films the cinematic scale they deserve while creating a cleaner transition to streaming. “We’re embracing a more integrated approach across theatrical and digital windows,” he said. “From big screen experiences to premium streaming, this is our most ambitious chapter yet.”
The ambitions stretch well beyond a dozen titles. Jain says more than 100 premieres are lined up for 2026 on the platform. The broader catalogue already carries crowd-pleasers including John Wick, Den of Thieves 2 and The Beekeeper, alongside series such as Normal People and Paris Has Fallen. Regional content also features, with titles including Dakshina, Eleven, Soothravakyam and Racharikam.
The upcoming pipeline is equally loaded. Greenland 2: Migration brings Butler back, Jason Statham leads Mutiny, Angelina Jolie stars in Couture, Zac Efron fronts Famous, and Matthew McConaughey heads The Rivals of Amziah King. The Has Fallen franchise is also expanding, with new instalments and returning series adding bulk to the slate.
For Indian audiences weaned on Bollywood spectacle, Lionsgate is making a straightforward pitch: Hollywood blockbusters deserve a darkened hall, a large screen and overpriced popcorn. With a roster this deep, it is hard to argue otherwise.
