Zee Entertainment Enterprises

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) (formerly Zee Telefilms) is an Indian media conglomerate. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has interests in television, print, internet, film, and businesses related to mobile content, and operates 35 channels worldwide.

History

Independent era

File:Zee entertainment enterprises logo.svg

Logo used from 2017 to 2025

In April 1995, the company launched the premium movie channel Zee Cinema, the first channel of its sort in the country.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> Until 1999, programming was done by Star TV. In the following years Zee Cinema has also catered to international markets like South-East America, Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Indonesia<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref> and Asia Pacific and the Rest of Africa.Template:Citation needed Zee Cinema (Canada) is available in Canada as a joint ventures with Ethnic Group.<ref name=":4" />

Zee Telefilms launched a Nickelodeon-branded programming block in 1999 as part of a distribution deal between Viacom International and Zee Telefilms. It was replaced by a new Cartoon Network block in 2002.<ref name="Nick">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Cartoon">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2008, Zee Networks launched Zee Motion Pictures and Zee Limelight (now Zee Studios) for the development, production, distribution and marketing of mainstream films in Indian languages, including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Marathi.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2015, Zee acquired Sarthak TV, an Odia-language pay television channel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2017, the company acquired the majority stake of the Reliance Broadcast Network.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also planned to acquire 9X Media in October 2017 for the cost of Template:INR160 crore, however, the plan fell through in March 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A partially owned subsidiary, Diligent Media Corporation, is a publisher of Indian daily newspapers and websites. DMC is a joint venture between Zee and the Dainik Bhaskar Group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2018, Zee launched Zee Theatre, which offers a collection of recorded theatre plays also called teleplay- produced in India and internationally.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sale talks

In February 2019, media reported that Essel Group was in talks to sell their shares from the Zee Entertainment Enterprises to save them from debt.<ref name="economictimes.indiatimes.com">Template:Cite news</ref>

Top Sony officials including Mike Hopkins, chairman of Sony Pictures Television,<ref name="economictimes.indiatimes.com" /> and Tony Vinciquerra, chairman of Sony Pictures, had visited Subhash Chandra and his family at his residence shortly after Chandra announced his intent to sell half of the promoter holding in Zee Entertainment Enterprises to a global strategic investor.
On 2 April reports said that<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> some other promoters<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> were willing to sell their shares worth Template:INR332 crore.
On 3 April media reported the Sony and Zee Entertainment Enterprises deal was off.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 1 August media reports Invesco Oppenheimer Fund to buy 11% stake in Zee Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In September 2021, it was reported that Invesco Developing Markets Funds and OFI Global China Fund LLC, who jointly holds a 17.88% stake, wanted Punit Goenka (also the son of founder) to step down as MD and CEO. It was also reported that Essel Group owns a sum of 3.99% minority stake.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2024, Zee Entertainment Enterprises partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Attempted merger with Sony Pictures Networks India

On 22 September 2021, the company announced its intent to merge with Sony Pictures Networks India.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sony Pictures will hold a majority stake in the proposed merged entity, which will be headed by Zee's Punit Goenka.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2021, the merger was approved by the two companies boards. Sony will hold a stake close to 51% in the company, with Zee controlling the remaining stake.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 10 August 2023, the National Company Law Tribunal approved the proposed Sony/Zee merger.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 18 January 2024, the anticipated $10 billion merger between Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Sony Pictures India progressed as ZEE's stock increased amid reports that CEO Punit Goenka might step down, potentially resolving a major deadlock in the merger process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, on 22 January 2024, Sony Pictures Networks India issued a notice to Zee Entertainment Enterprises effectively terminating the merger proceedings due to, among other reasons, the closing conditions to the merger not being satisfied by the given deadline of 21 January.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Controversy

Dispute between promoters

On 11 September 2021, Invesco asked Zee management to call shareholders an "extraordinary general meeting" (EGM) to consider its demands. One of the main demands was the removal of Punit Goenka, son of the Zee Network founder.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However Zee board rejects a demand from Invesco to convene an extraordinary general meeting.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Invesco Developing Market Funds Moves to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and Bombay High Court seeking a mandatory order for Zee Enterprises Entertainment Limited (ZEEL) to call the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) that the shareholder has been demanding.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Zee Board replied to Invesco's open letter saying they didn't care about the company, and Invesco was not motivated by concerns related to any corporate governance issue<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but "by the events that transpired during February–April 2021 pointing Invesco purposed deal with Reliance Industries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 21 October, Bombay High Court asked the Zee board to call EGM as demanded by shareholder Invesco, and Counsel appearing for Zee Entertainment said the company will inform the date of the EGM by the morning of 22 October.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 22 October, Zee replied to the court that the board can't give a nod to something that will turn out to be illegal,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> so HC postponed hearing of the Zee-Invesco matter to 26 October. Also, on 26 October Bombay High Court had restrained Invesco from taking any action in furtherance of their requisition notice (to call an EGM).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 7 December, Invesco headed towards a resolution expected to back the merger deal with Sony as long as the Goenka family does not get any preferential equity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 22 December, Board of Zee signed definitive agreements with Sony after received approval from its board of directors<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Zee Music vs Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam alleged that he was banned by the Zee Music Company after he tweeted in support of politician Kumar Vishwas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Owned channels

India

Channel	Launched	Language	Category	SD/HD	Notes
Zee TV	1992	Hindi	General Entertainment	SD+HD
& TV	2015
Anmol TV	2013			SD	Formerly known as Zee Anmol
Big Magic	2011
Zee Zindagi	2014
Zee Cinema	1995		Movies	HD
Zee Classic	2005			SD
Zee Action	2006
Zee Bollywood	2018
Anmol Cinema	2016				Formerly known as Zee Anmol Cinema
Anmol Cinema 2	2024				Replaced Zee Ganga Formerly known as Zee Anmol Cinema 2
& Pictures	2013			SD+HD
& Xplor HD	2019			HD
Zing	2009		Youth	SD	Formerly Zee Muzic
Zee Café	2000	English	General Entertainment	SD+HD	Formerly Zee English
& Flix	2000		Movies		Formerly Zee Studio
& Privé HD	2017			HD
Zee Zest	2010	Hindi English	Lifestyle	SD+HD	Formerly Zee Khana Khazana and Living Foodz
Zee Theatre	2018	Hindi English Urdu Marathi Gujarati	TV Plays	SD
Zee Bangla	1999	Bengali	General Entertainment	SD+HD	Formerly Alpha TV Bangla
Zee BanglaSonar	2025		Movies	SD	Replaced Zee Bangla Cinema
Zee Biskope	2020	Bhojpuri
Zee Marathi	1999	Marathi	General Entertainment	SD+HD	Formerly Alpha TV Marathi
Zee Yuva	2016			SD
Zee Talkies	2007		Movies	SD+HD
Zee Chitramandir	2021			SD
Zee Sarthak	2010	Odia	General Entertainment		Formerly Sarthak TV
Zee Punjabi	2020	Punjabi			Formerly Alpha TV Punjabi
Zee Tamil	2008	Tamil	General Entertainment	HD
Zee Thirai	2020		Movies	SD+HD
Zee Telugu	2004	Telugu	General Entertainment		Formerly Alpha TV Telugu
Zee Cinemalu	2016		Movies
Zee Kannada	2006	Kannada	General Entertainment
Zee Power	2025				Replaced Zee Picchar
Zee Keralam	2018	Malayalam

Defunct channels and networks

Channel	Launched	Defunct	Language	Category	SD/HD	Notes
EL TV	1996	1998	Hindi	General Entertainment	SD	Replaced with Zee India TV
Zee Smile	2004	2016				Formerly Smile TV
9X	2007	2015				Acquired from 9X Media
Zee Next	2007	2009
Zee Premier	2006	2015		Movies		Formerly Premier Cinema
ā Music Asia	1997	2000		Music		Replaced with Zee Muzic
Zee Muzic	2000	2009				Replaced with Zing TV
Zee ETC Bollywood	1999	2020				Formerly ETC and ETC Bollywood
ZeeQ	2010	2017		Kids
Zee Jagran	2005	2015		Devotional
Zee Khana Khazana	2010	2015		Lifestyle		Replaced with Living Foodz
Zee India TV	1998	1999		Infotainment		Replaced with Zee News
Zee Select	2004	2005	English	Movies		Formerly MX
Zee Studio	2005	2018				Formerly Zee Movies, Zee MGM and Zee Movie Zone (ZMZ) Replaced With &flix
Zee Trendz	2003	2014		Lifestyle		Formerly Trendz TV
Zee Sports	2005	2010		Sports		Merged with TEN Action
Living Foodz	2015	2020	English Hindi	Lifestyle	SD+HD	Replaced with Zee Zest
Living Travelz	2017	2017		Knowledge	SD
Zee Bangla Cinema	2012	2025	Bengali	Movies		Replaced with Zee Bangla Sonar
Zee Ganga	2013	2024	Bhojpuri	General Entertainment		Replaced with Zee Anmol Cinema 2
Zee Gujarati	2000	2009	Gujarati			Formerly Alpha TV Gujarati
Zee Vajwa	2020	2022	Marathi	Music
Zee ETC Punjabi	2001	2014	Punjabi	General Entertainment		Formerly ETC Punjabi
Zee Picchar	2020	2025	Kannada	Movies	SD+HD	Replaced with Zee Power

Over The Top (OTT)

Template:Main In February 2016, Zee Entertainment Enterprises forayed into video-on-demand with the launch of its OTT platform OZEE.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 14 February 2018, this service rebranded as ZEE5.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since its relaunch as ZEE5, it streams all content from its television network and also movies and original series. ZEE5 claimed 57 million monthly active users in December 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other assets

Publishing<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• bgr
• Mollywood
• cricket country
• The health site
• India.com
• Sugarbox
• Zee5X

Event management <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Zee Live
• Super moon, Arth, Edu care, It's A Girl Thing
• Zee Theatre

Film distribution and music

• Zee Studios<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Zee Plex (movie-on-demand service)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Zee Music Company<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website