Zee Media to launch English news channel WION in August; ZEEL to get 7% commission for distributing news channel
Mumbai: Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) will launch its English news channel WION (World-Is- One-News) in August. The business plan for the launch of the channel was approved at the board meeting of the company.
WION, which is headed by Rohit Gandhi as the editor-in-chief, will report global news and issues from a South Asian perspective. The company had recently received three TV channel licences, including WION, from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
ZMCL has also terminated its distribution arrangement with Taj Television India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). The arrangement with Taj was valid for a period of three years till 31 March 2017. Taj was getting 14 per cent commission fee from ZMCL for distributing the latter’s channels. ‘
With ZEEL subsuming the distribution business by moving it from Taj TV, the ZMCL board has also accorded in-principle approval for entering into a new agreement for distribution of television channels. The company will share seven per cent subscription revenue with ZEEL, a sister company, as commission for distributing its channels.
The board of ZMCL has authorised the company secretary to initiate actions required to seek approval of unrelated shareholders for the proposed transaction between the company and ZEEL for distribution of television channels.
ZMCL has also approved nomination of COO R K Arora as the chief executive officer with effect from 29 April 2016. The post was lying vacant since the resignation of Ashish Kirpal Pandit in October.
Arora, a Chartered Accountant with over 24 years of experience in the industry, has held senior positions with various organisations including iTV network, BAG Network and India TV. He had joined the company as COO in May 2015.
Zee Media to launch English news channel WION
