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Zee Music - news archive

This is an archive of news about Zee Music. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

INX Media to launch 9XM in the UK imminently
From Biz Asia. Posted July 9 2008, 5.20pm
INX Media's music channel 9XM is on course to launch in the UK on Sky Digital imminently. According to a source close to BizAsia.co.uk, a deal has been sought and the channel will join its flagship Hindi GEC 9X shortly. INX Media is keeping tight-lipped and refused to comment on a date of the launch. 9XM has fast become India's leading music channels. Recently 9XM retained a massive lead over its rivals with 54 GRPs in C&S 4yrs+, followed by MTV – 19 GRPs and Channel [V] -7 GRPs. 9X is currently available free-to-air on Sky Digital EPG 828. B4U Music, ZEE Music and Music India are the only other Bollywood music channels broadcasting in the UK. Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for the exclusive news break. Related links: 9X & 9XM consolidate their positions in India EXCLUSIVE: EX-STAR Nick Thind joins 9X UK STAR UK's Vice President Nick Thind leaves 9X continues steady climb; now India's No.3 9X makes official UK launch on Sky Digital EXCLUSIVE: Interview with 9X on UK launch UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday? EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

Asian 'Signature' runners-up on ITV's 'Talent'
From Biz Asia. Posted May 31 2008, 11.42pm
Asian duo Signature have come second on the reality TV show 'Britain's Got Talent' on ITV1 tonight. Teenage breakdancer George Sampson beat Signature who combined Bhangra moves with Michael Jackson impersonations. Signature compromise of Suleman Mirza, a 29- year-old trainee lawyer from Essex and 34-year-old Madhu Singh, from Hayes in Middlesex, who works at PC World in Heathrow's Terminal 5. Madhu is also known as the mystery voice on ZEE Music's 'Mutz Cutz' fronted by Murtaza Ali. (more)

ZEE set to revitalise Indian Cricket League
From Biz Asia. Posted May 21 2008, 10.02pm
In order to counter the heat generated by the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) launched by BCCI, the rebel cricket body — Indian Cricket League (ICL) — is all set to take its tournament outside the country. Not only will the Subhash Chandra-owned Twenty20 tournament go to West Asia in September, its prize money will also go up. ICL will also launch a high-voltage multi-media campaign beginning August-September other than considering roping in film stars to not only own cricket teams, but to play the Twenty20 matches. The bottom line is that the Essel Group is gearing up to take on the Indian Premier League which has kept television viewers glued to Sony's SET Max channel. Says a senior ZEE executive: "The ICL is now very big on the agenda for the group. Several steps are being taken to increase the interest of both the viewers and the advertisers when the tournament starts in September-October this year. Don't forget, we saw the big potential in the Twenty20 format much before anyone else did." To lend freshness to the game, the ICL executives are looking at several international cricketing venues in the Gulf. The belief is that the company may finally zero in on Dubai or Sharjah as Taj Television, the holding company of Ten Sports that shows the matches, is based in Dubai. ZEE owns a 50 per cent stake in Ten Sports. However, in the face of competition from IPL, establishing ICL as a vibrant television property will be an uphill task for the Essel Group. "IPL is a successful television property with consistent ratings of about 4-5, similar to any popular show on a general entertainment channel. The initial tournaments of ICL got ratings of 1-2. To attract the viewers to another Twenty20 tournament will be a tough challenge for the ICL team," says a senior media planner. Winning against IPL will be a challenge on other counts as well. For a start, IPL is an official tournament with the backing of the International Cricket Council (ICC) while ICL is a rebel league comprising either retired international cricketers or not so known cricket players from both within and outside the country. Also, the ICL matches aired on ZEE Sports and later on Ten Sports as well, managed to attract viewers for 6-12 minutes on an average. The average time spent on Set Max (for IPL) has been over 40 minutes. Himanshu Modi, business head, ICL, however, is unfazed. In an emailed response to Business Standard earlier, he said: "It is important for everyone involved or following the league to understand that in terms of product life cycle we are in the introductory stage. Like any other sporting product, the ICL will need time to build its support base…" IPL has become a phenomenal television success, agree advertising experts. "If any one has to even match its intensity in future, they will have to put in something 'extra'," a senior executive in an advertising agency concludes. International venues and celebrities may work wonders for the sub-continent expats, but for the viewers back home, much more may be required," a senior executive in a Gurgaon-based advertising agency concludes. Related links: Hyderabad to host ZEE's ICL World Series IPL outperforms Shah Rukh show on STAR Plus ZEE Network thanks BCCI for ICL success Confirmed: ZEE Music to show ICL cricket Buzz surrounding BCCI's T20 IPL cricket ZEE's Indian Cricket League teams confirmed ZEE Network to form own Indian cricket league (more)

ZEE TV's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' new series in June
From Biz Asia. Posted May 18 2008, 7.04pm
ZEE TV's flagship musical show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Challenge' returns in the last week of June, BizAsia.co.uk can reveal. The charttopping series in which budding singers from around the world compete for the title as the voice of the nation will once again be hosted by Aditya Narayan. Details of the judges and performers are yet to confirmed. Last year Aneek Dhar walked away with nearly 4 crore of the votes, beating Raja Hassan and Amanat Ali to second and third respectively. Raja lost by a margin of 13 lakh. 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Challenge 2008' starts on 28th June at 20:00 and will be aired on both Saturday and Sunday with a spin-off show on ZEE Music. (more)

ZEE Music UK to show ICL World Series
From Biz Asia. Posted April 8 2008, 12.58pm
After the successful completion of the ICL: Grand Championships that came to an end this past weekend, ZEE Network UK has announced it will be telecasting the 'ICL: World Series' starting Wednesday 9th April on ZEE Music UK. The week-long series will run until Tuesday 15th April between 14:30 and 18:00. The ICL 20s World Series 2008 is a triangular series involving India, Pakistan and the Rest of the World and will be played at the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderbad. According to the format, each team will play the other twice and the top two teams will clash for the title. Related link: Hyderabad to host ZEE's ICL World Series (more)

ZEE Cinema to telecast ICL: Championships
From Biz Asia. Posted March 6 2008, 8.41pm
After the successful debut of ZEE Network's Indian Cricket League in November, the tournament returns with a new look this weekend on ZEE Cinema. This time around, ZEE Network has confirmed Edelweiss as the show's title sponsors. The ICL: Grand Championships kicks off this Sunday (9th March) and concludes on Monday 7th April. ICL CEO Himanshu Mody notes that the ICL is talking with companies to sponsor each of the eight teams. ICL chairman of the executive board Kapil Dev says, "Edelweiss’ association with the ICL is a support to young domestic Indian players who have been provided with an international standard platform to display their cricketing talent. This support will be a sure step in strengthening cricket in the country." The event will be held in three locations – Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Gurgaon. Brian Lara will captain the Mumbai Champs team. The captains for the other teams are Stuart Law (Chennai Superstars), Inzamam Ul Haq (Lahore Badshahs), Chris Cairns (Chandigarh Lions), Damien Martyn (Ahmedabad Rockets), Chris Harris (Hyderabad Heroes), Marvan Attapatu (Delhi Giants) and Craig McMillan (Kolkata Tigers). In the UK, ZEE Cinema will broadcast the ICL: Grand Championships live and exclusive from Sunday 9th March with two matches per day, one at 08:00 - 11:00 and the second match between 13:30 and 16:30. From Sunday 30th March, due to British Summer Time kicking in, matches will begin at 09:00 and 14:30 respectively. Related links: ZEE Network thanks BCCI for ICL success Confirmed: ZEE Music to show ICL cricket Buzz surrounding BCCI's T20 IPL cricket ZEE's Indian Cricket League teams confirmed ZEE Network to form own Indian cricket league (more)

Tasmin joins new look BBC Three news
From Biz Asia. Posted February 8 2008, 8.04pm
Former ZEE Music and Five presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan has been hired by BBC Three for its new look news bulletin '60 Seconds', which relaunches on Tuesday (12th February). Tasmin will co-present with Andy May who has presented sports updates on BBC Radio 5 Live's Eammon Holmes' show. In line with the audience's interest in the world around them, '60 Seconds' will also commit to special bulletins on everything from environment, technology and science to entertainment and weekend sport. Tasmin said: "I'm very excited to be part of the new look BBC Three. I'll be keeping our audiences up-to-date during the week with all the latest news, just the way they like it. It's going to be short and sharp news bulletins on the hour and I've literally got only 60 seconds to deliver!" Tasmin had been with ZEE Network since 2000. She will also present 'Entertainment 24' on BBC News 24, Monday to Thursday at 18:30 and 21:30. (more)

ZEE Network thanks BCCI for ICL success
From Biz Asia. Posted December 1 2007, 7.45pm
Indian Cricket League (ICL) may have been dismissed as a rebel-venture by the BCCI, but the organisers say they are thankful to the Indian cricket Board (BCCI) for the successful start to its Twenty20 tournament. "We are thankful to the BCCI for doing our marketing. All thanks to them for building this hype before our event took off," Essel (ZEE) Group Chairman Subhash Chandra said on Saturday. He said first rumours were spread that ICL will never take off, but this had been belied by its grand inauguration on Friday. Chandra even said tickets priced at Rs 100 were in great demand during the inaugural match played last evening and people were even prepared to pay Rs 1500 to watch the match. Six teams, featuring a host of current domestic and former international cricketers, are taking part in the 17-day long tournament and greats like Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Chris Cairns are participating. "The TV response to the tournament has been phenomenal and telecast is going to over 30 million homes in India. Moreover, cricket administrators around the world are also watching young talent play side-by-side experienced campaigners," Chandra, whose Group owns the ICL, said. Chandra said now more and more sponsors were also showing interest in the League. "ICL has taken it up as a challenge to hone young talent and bring them to a level where they can take on the best in the world," he said, adding domestic players were getting a salary varying Rs 15-35 lakh per year. Asked where he saw the League going after this tournament, he said, "the baby took birth only yesterday. (ICL executive board chairman) Kapil Dev and his team are working on it. Lets see." Haryana Sports Minister Kiran Chaudhry also watched today's match between Hyderabad Heroes, led by former Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Mumbai Champs, led by batting legend Brian Lara. Bollywood stars Diya Mirza and Jimmy Shergill were also in the stadium to watch the match. "I am watching a cricket match for the first time in my life. I must say that Twenty20 looks fresh, innovative and have lots of pace," Mirza said, adding that her favourite cricket hero is Indian pacer S Sreesanth. In the UK, ZEE Music is the official broadcaster of the ICL tournament. Details of telecast can be found here. Article from IndiaTimes Cricket Related links: Confirmed: ZEE Music to show ICL cricket Buzz surrounding BCCI's T20 IPL cricket ZEE's Indian Cricket League teams confirmed ZEE Network to form own Indian cricket league (more)

Confirmed: ZEE Music to show ICL cricket
From Biz Asia. Posted November 28 2007, 7.27pm
The much talked about cricket tournament of this year, the ZEE backed Indian Cricket League (ICL) has been confirmed for UK telecast on ZEE Music free-to-air. (more)

Live gameshow to launch on ZEE Music
From Biz Asia. Posted August 31 2007, 9.18pm
ZEE Music will be launching its first live weekly gameshow. The programme titled 'Quiz Master' will be a fun filled game of luck and intelligence that involves the entire family. Participating in the show is stated to be simple and if the six questions are correctly answered, one can win the jackpot amount of £250. A participant will have to answer five questions correctly to be eligible for the sixth question for jackpot. 'Quiz Master' will broadcast live from its Play TV channel studios in India. As well as ZEE Music UK, 'Quiz Master' will also simulcast on Play TV. The show introduces a unique concept of using a Randomizer to select the live caller. Viewers will have a play-along round where in if the caller is unable to answer the question the same is open for viewers to answer and a cash prize at the comfort of their living room. Speaking on the launch of Quizmaster, Play TV MD Amit Goenka said, "Play TV has a loyal set of young viewers who enjoy this new genre of entertainment where interactivity is an integral part of television viewing. Quizmaster is a show that will appeal to viewers across age groups. It is a family activity that everyone can sit together, watch and participate in." 'Quiz Master' will air every week at 21:00 from Saturday 8th September. (more)

Technical fault hits ZEE Network channels
From Biz Asia. Posted August 29 2007, 10.12am
The five ZEE Network UK channels have been hit by a technical fault, which has resulted in all services being taken off air. The fault occurred shortly after 08:45 this morning. Currently footage of a Bollywood concert is being shown on all ZEE channels including ZEE TV, ZEE Music, ZEE Cinema, Alpha ETC Punjabi and ZEE Gujarati. It is not yet known if the channels have been affected on cable service Virgin Media. BizAsia.co.uk is awaiting details on the problem from ZEE and will bring readers an update shortly. Update (12:00): The channels returned back on air around 10:00. A ZEE source said it was signaling problem, which resulted in the disruption. (more)

New TV music channel to launch next year
From Biz Asia. Posted August 23 2007, 10.59pm
The Asian music TV space here in the UK is all set to heat up in the coming months. The four existing music channels - B4U Music, ZEE Music, Aag and The Muzik will face stiff competition from a new contender Enter 10, which has confirmed it will launch "early 2008". Currently Enter 10 is in the Sky Digital application process. When it launches the channel aims to tap into the same audience as its rivals listed above. Enter 10's programming will consist of Hindi music from films and non-film albums, along with music events and original programming. Unlike B4U Music and ZEE Music UK, the new channel will also present old film music from various eras between the 1960s to the 1990s. Not only that, Enter 10 promises to bring a fresh angle to Indian Music from Indipop to Bhajans(religious) to remixes, raga and rock. Before the launch of Enter 10, we could see the arrival of STAR's music offering Channel [V] which has been contemplating a UK launch for the past few months. Music India, owned by Sangeet Bangla Network Private Limited is planning to expand too with a UK launch on the anvil. A timeframe of two months has been specified by a source close to BizAsia.co.uk. (more)

Asian TV channels in Sky EPG reshuffle
From Biz Asia. Posted August 6 2007, 9.00am
Selected Asian TV channels on Sky Digital have been given new EPG numbers. As revealed first by BizAsia.co.uk, the changes are taking place to make room for additional new services in the already packed out 'International' genre of Sky Digital's EPG. Some broadcasters have opted to remain in their existing EPG slot and some have moved down the EPG to fill up vacant slots in the category. The new EPG list is as below: 780 B4U Movies 781 B4U Music 782 Sony TV Asia 783 STAR One 784 STAR Plus 785 PCNE Chinese 786 Bangla TV 787 mta-muslim tv 788 ZEE TV 789 ZEE Music 790 ZEE Cinema 791 ARY Digital 792 PTV Prime 793 MATV National 794 DW-TV 795 TVEi 796 Abu Dhabi TV 797 SouthForYou 798 Alpha ETC Punjabi 799 TV5 800 MAX 801 Record TV 802 DM Digital 803 804 ARY QTV 805 DM Gold 806 ARY The Musik 807 Venus TV 808 Aastha TV 809 810 STAR News 811 STAR Gold 812 PTV Global 813 Islam Channel 814 Channel 'S' 815 GEO UK 816 ZEE Gujarati 817 Aapna Channel 818 Mana Telugu 819 Filmy 820 Sahara One 821 Aaj Tak 822 823 824 AAG 825 826 Channel S NTV 827 Channel S ATN 828 Channel Punjab 829 830 831 832 DD-News 833 DD-India 834 835 836 837 838 839 Related links: New EPG numbers for Asian channels on Sky Asian channels set for EPG reshuffle on Sky (more)

Media goes ga ga over movie 'Awarapan'
From Biz Asia. Posted June 3 2007, 7.58pm
On the 29th of June, three blockbuster movies (Apne, Aap Ka Suroor and Awarapan) will clash at the box office, however one, which is fast becoming a firm favourite amongst the media in the UK and abroad is Mahesh Bhatt's 'Awarapan' starring Emran Hashmi and Shreya Saran. The music scored by Pritam for the film has already topped many charts around the world after only two weeks on release. Key media have been invited for Sa Re Ga Ma's press conference of 'Awarapan', being held in Central London on Tuesday (5th June) evening. B4U will exclusively capture the performances by Pakistani singers, Annie and Rafaqat Ali Khan, who are likely to render their hit numbers from the film's soundtrack for the media. Emraan Hashmi and Mukesh Bhatt will do a Q&A session with the media. ARY Digital is the TV partner of the film in the U.A.E, AVS TV in the US and B4U in the UK. The making of 'Awarapan' is likely to be telecast exclusively in the UK on ZEE TV and ZEE Cinema in the week preceding the film's release on 29th June. Both ZEE Music and B4U Music in the UK will also screen the making of the film's music in the coming days. Studio 18 is releasing 'Awarapan' internationally. (more)

'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' spin-off show on ZEE Music
From Biz Asia. Posted May 12 2007, 8.21pm
In a first for an Asian TV network in the UK, ZEE TV's popular reality music show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' will have a spin-off show, which will air on ZEE Music directly after the main show ends on ZEE TV. The spin-off titled 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Hungama' is more personal, realistic looking as it gets into the reactions of the contestants. Furthermore, it delves into the personal stories of the contestants by showcasing their trials and tribulations, taking them out for an activity, instigating a debate between them… mingling with them at their residence. The show will capture behind the scenes action and all the drama backstage. Speaking on this initiative ZEE Music business head Irshwin Balvani said, "Music of course remains a great part of the show. What makes it different is the perspective on these stories, witty yet at times emotional. All these stories will be created keeping in mind the youth audience of the channel." The show will be hosted by Neha Bhasin, who is herself a find of a talent hunt in the past. 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Hungama' will air on ZEE Music UK at 21:00 on Saturday and Sundays after the main show on ZEE TV at 20:00. Related link: 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' to make ZEE TV return in May (more)

ZEE poaches STAR exec. for new channel
From Biz Asia. Posted February 5 2007, 9.21am
ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has begun making appointments for its forthcoming general entertainment channel – ZEE Next. Even as channel officials refused to divulge much yet, it is reliably learnt that a recent appointment made in ZEE Next's sales division is that of Anurag Bedi, who was hitherto looking after the South and West operations of STAR Plus and STAR One. Bedi has been roped in as Deputy Vice-President, Sales. At ZEE he comes in to head ZEE Music and ETC music channels. However, he is expected to move to the soon-to-be-launched general entertainment channel from ZEE. Joy Chakraborthy, EVP, Sales, ZEEL has confirmed Bedi's appointment. He said, "Anurag will prove to be a great asset to the organisation. I have worked with him earlier and am looking forward to the value addition that he would make to the ZEEL ad sales function." While Chakraborty said that Bedi had come in for the music channels, he didn't offer any comments on whether or not Bedi would be taking charge of ZEE Next. Article from Exchange4Media Related link: ZEE India to launch new entertainment channel (more)

ZEE Music adds new ETC shows from February
From Biz Asia. Posted January 30 2007, 10.44pm
ZEE Music will be revamped in February with the addition of new shows from sister channel ETC Entertainment in India. ZEE Music UK has been trailing behind rival B4U Music in the popularity stakes and hopes the recently launched shows (B News, Wild 10, Just Out, Hip Shakers) along with the new ones planned can further strengthen the position of ZEE Music. Viewers may recall, ZEE Music UK has previously shown ETC Entertainment shows, these were discontinued temporarily to make way for other programmes. Some of these shows, however, are making a return next month. A new show called 'Top Gear' will air daily at 07:00, 12:30 and 18:00. The latest film promos will be shown in 'Hit List' daily at 09:00 and 21:00. A mixture of released and non-released movie tracks will occupy the 14:00 slot in the shape of 'Mix Masala'. With these shows, the channel is increasing its film music content. Non-film music will also be visible but without much emphasis. Popular strands like ‘Phat Trax’ and ‘Remix Factory’ and the Bhangra jukebox ‘ZEE Music Box’ will continue as per normal. The revamped schedule goes live from Thursday 1st February. (more)