This momentous occasion also marks the 25th anniversary of the Indian satellite television industry
In the history of our country, October 2 is a landmark day as it is the birthday of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. On this momentous day, way back in 1992, India also witnessed the birth of satellite television with the launch of the first Hindi satellite television channel, Zee TV from the stable of Zee Telefilms Ltd., now ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL). This year, ZEE Entertainment, which has evolved from an Indian television broadcaster into a Media & Entertainment conglomerate, has completed 25 glorious years of bringing the best of entertainment content to viewers in India and across the world.
Reflecting on ZEE’s journey of 25 years, Dr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman – Essel Group & ZEE and Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha said, “25 years ago, the launch of India’s first private television channel, Zee TV led to the commencement of a whole new industry which not only generated employment for 50 lakh people but also gave a new direction to our country. We started with a single resolution to provide entertainment to people in the comfort of their homes, and today, we share this happiness with 1.3 billion viewers across 173 countries, in 19 different languages. ZEE has become a household name because of the continuous support and love of viewers across the world. It is their support that has made a private channel into a public movement. Under the able leadership of Punit and Amit, ZEE will always work towards new technology and concepts so as to provide its viewers with the best of entertainment.”
Sharing his views on this milestone, Mr. Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEEL said, “On October 2, 1992, our Chairman, Dr. Subhash Chandra launched the nation’s first private satellite television channel and sparked the evolution of not just a company, but also an entire industry in itself. An industry which today stands at an estimated size of INR 588bn, generating millions of jobs across the nation and worldwide. Right since its inception in 1992, ZEE has been at the forefront of launching many industry firsts, courtesy to its pioneering vision, entrepreneurial spirit and sheer persistence. We started as a television broadcasting company and have today emerged as a global Media & Entertainment conglomerate, entertaining over a billion viewers across the world. As consumer preferences shift and evolve, our aim at ZEE, is to anticipate the change, embrace the new and continue to lead by innovation.”
Adding on to this celebration, Mr. Amit Goenka, CEO – International Broadcast Business, ZEEL said, “ZEE forayed into the international business in 1995 with the launch of Zee TV in the UK. Over the years, ZEE has emerged as the cultural ambassador of India, taking its rich and engaging content across the world, to not just the South-Asian diaspora but to local audiences in international territories. Our vision for the future is to become the world’s leading global content company from the emerging markets.”
With the vision to bring a revolution by facilitating convergence of media and communication with a mirror into the common man’s life, Dr. Subhash Chandra had launched Zee Telefilms Limited (now Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited) in October 1992. The journey that began with a single channel has opened the gateway for Indian entertainment to the world. ZEE is today providing entertainment content to diverse audiences across 173 countries with a reach of more than 1.3 billion people.
With a dedicated focus on quality content, the company has built a diverse portfolio of leading businesses across the entertainment value-chain including television broadcasting, digital, movie & music production and live entertainment. Over the past 25 years, ZEE has always been committed to remaining profitable and delivering increasing shareholder value. ZEE has also established a very strong consumer connect and is governed by a set of values that hold them in good stead in the face of changing viewer environments.
