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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 45 channels worldwide.

HistoryEdit

Independent eraEdit

In April 1995, the company launched the premium movie channel Zee Cinema, the first channel of its sort in the country.<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Cartoon">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Zee entertainment enterprises logo.svg
Logo used from 2017 until 19 May 2025.

In 2017, the company acquired the majority stake of the Reliance Broadcast Network.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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 talksEdit

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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> were willing to sell their shares worth Template:INR332 crore.
On 3 April media reported Sony and Zee Entertainment Enterprises deal off.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 1 August media reports Invesco Oppenheimer Fund to buy 11% stake in Zee Entertainment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2024, Zee Entertainment Enterprises partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Attempted merger with Sony Pictures Networks IndiaEdit

On 22 September 2021, the company announced its intent to merge with Sony Pictures Networks India.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sony Pictures will hold a majority stake in the proposed merged entity, which will be headed by Zee's Punit Goenka.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 10 August 2023, the National Company Law Tribunal approved the proposed Sony/Zee merger.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ControversyEdit

Dispute between promotersEdit

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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However Zee board rejects a demand from Invesco to convene an extraordinary general meeting.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but "by the events that transpired during February–April 2021 pointing Invesco purposed deal with Reliance Industries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 22 December, Board of Zee signed definitive agreements with Sony after received approval from its board of directors<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Zee Music vs Sonu NigamEdit

Sonu Nigam alleged that he was banned by the Zee Music Company after he tweeted in support of politician Kumar Vishwas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Owned ChannelsEdit

=== India<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ===

Channel Launched Language Category SD/HD Notes
Z TV 1992 Hindi General Entertainment SD+HD
& TV 2015
Anmol TV 2013 SD
Big Magic 2011
Z Zindagi 2014
Z Cinema 1995 Movies SD+HD
Z Classic 2005 SD
Z Action 2006
Z Bollywood 2018
Anmol Cinema 2016
Anmol Cinema 2 2024 Replaced Zee Ganga
& Pictures 2013 SD+HD Toonami themed from 2013 to 2020
& Xplor HD 2019 HD only
Zing 2009 Youth SD Formerly Zee Muzic
Z Café 2000 English General Entertainment SD+HD Formerly Zee English
& Flix 2000 Movies Formerly Zee Studio
& Privé HD 2017 HD only
Z Zest 2010 Hindi
English
Lifestyle SD+HD Formerly Zee Khana Khazana
Z Theatre 2018 Hindi
English
Urdu
Marathi
Gujarati
TV Plays SD
Z Bangla 1999 Bengali General Entertainment SD+HD Formerly Alpha TV Bangla
Z Bangla Cinema 2012 Movies SD
Z Biskope 2020 Bhojpuri
Z Marathi 1999 Marathi General Entertainment SD+HD Formerly Alpha TV Marathi
Z Yuva 2016 SD
Z Talkies 2007 Movies SD+HD
Z Chitramandir 2021 SD
Z Sarthak 2010 Odia General Entertainment Formerly Sarthak TV
Z Punjabi 2020 Punjabi Formerly Alpha TV Punjabi
Z Tamil 2008 Tamil General Entertainment SD+HD
Z Thirai 2020 Movies
Z Telugu 2004 Telugu General Entertainment Formerly Alpha TV Telugu
Z Cinemalu 2016 Movies
Z Kannada 2006 Kannada General Entertainment
Z Picchar 2020 Movies
Z Keralam 2018 Malayalam General Entertainment

Defunct channels and networksEdit

Channel Launched Defunct Language Category SD/HD Notes
Zee Next 2007 2009 Hindi General Entertainment SD
Zee Smile 2004 2016 Formerly Smile TV
9X 2007 2015 Acquired from 9X Media
Zee Jagran 2005 2015 Devotional
Zee Premier 2006 2015 Movies Formerly Premier Cinema
ZeeQ 2010 2017 Kids
Zee Muzic 1997 2009 Music Replaced with Zing TV
Zee ETC Bollywood 1999 2020 Formerly ETC and ETC Bollywood
Zee Khana Khazana 2010 2015 Lifestyle Replaced with Living Foodz
EL TV 1996 1998 General Entertainment Replaced with Zee India TV
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)
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 Zen 2016 2019 SD
Living Travelz 2017 2017 Knowledge
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

Over The Top (OTT)Edit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In February 2016, Zee Entertainment Enterprises forayed into video-on-demand with the launch of its OTT platform OZEE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 14 February 2018, this service rebranded as ZEE5.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other assetsEdit

=== Publishing<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ===

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

=== Event management <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ===

Film distribution and musicEdit

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  • Zee Plex (movie-on-demand service)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Essel Group Template:CNX Nifty companies Template:Nifty 200 companies

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