Advanced Television

Sony

Zee considering criminal case against Sony

The fallout from the collapsed $10 billion merger between Zee Entertainment and Sony’s India broadcasting interests (Bangla Entertainment) continues to have serious ramifications. Both sides have said that litigation will commence, and Sony already has an arbitration claim filed in Singapore claiming $90 million of what it alleges are contractual obligations from Zee. However, Subhash […]

January 30, 2024By Chris Forrester

Zee fallout sees cricket deal cancelled

Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL), clearly suffering as a result of its collapsed merger with Sony’s Indian broadcasting interests, is pulling out of its contract with Disney India for a massive sub-licensing $1.4 billion (€1.29bn) agreement to cover key International Cricket Council (ICC) matches for the 2024-2027 seasons. ZEEL is already extremely late in paying an […]

January 29, 2024By Chris Forrester

Zee CEO: “Merger collapse won’t impact business”

Punit Goeka, CEO at Zee TV, addressed all staff on January 25th and updated them about the merger fallout, saying there would be no impact on Zee’s day-to-day business. “It is time to move on as a team, more importantly as a family. The intrinsic value and fundamentals of Zee remain unmatched,” he commented. He […]

January 26, 2024By Chris Forrester

Zee asks Sony to return to negotiations

India’s Zee Entertainment has asked Sony to come back to the negotiating table. On January 24th, despite the collapse of the merger agreement last week and legal moves already being made, Zee admitted it had urged Sony to revive the plan. The move, said by some locals to be an act of desperation and in […]

January 25, 2024By Chris Forrester

Zee downgraded by analysts

The fallout from the collapsed merger between Zee Entertainment and Sony’s India broadcasting activities continues. Zee’s share price has collapsed (down 26 per cent on January 23rd) and most local analysts suggest that Zee will be under increased financial and shareholder pressure and probable litigation. At least six Indian brokerages also said investors should sell […]

January 24, 2024

Sony, Zee both sue for compensation

The Sony/Zee merger is dead but both parties say legal claims for compensation will be made. Sony is seeking a $90 million (€82.6m) termination fee over the collapsed deal, while Zee, in response, refuted the claims made by Sony and stressed its commitment to protecting stakeholders’ long-term interests. Zee is reported to be evaluating options […]

January 23, 2024By Chris Forrester

Zee, Sony merger called off

The long-awaited ZEEL-Sony merger is off. Despite reports over the weekend that the $10 billion merger between Zee Entertainment Ltd (ZEEL) and Sony’s Culver Max Entertainment was close, news has emerged that Sony has run out of patience and had sent a “termination letter” to ZEEL. Bloomberg is reporting that a key meeting was held […]

January 22, 2024By Chris Forrester

Zee intends to conclude Sony merger

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), in a regulatory filing, insists it is working to successfully complete its long-planned merger with Sony’s Indian channels and studios. In its January 9th filing Zee described the widespread reports that the merger might not go through as being “baseless and factually incorrect.” “The company has always complied with its […]

January 11, 2024By Chris Forrester

InterDigital renews licence agreements with Panasonic

InterDigital, a mobile and video technology research and development company, has announced that the company has renewed its patent licence agreements with Panasonic Entertainment & Communication. The renewals extend Panasonic’s licence under InterDigital’s HEVC patents and also extend its digital TV licence under InterDigital’s joint licensing programme with Sony. “It is always gratifying to renew […]

January 11, 2024

Sony, Zee merger collapsing?

Sony’s India channels and studio division is reportedly on the brink of pulling the plug on its much-delayed merger with Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL). Sony is seemingly fed up with the failure by ZEEL to fulfil several pre-agreed conditions for the merger to take place. The merger itself has been due to be wrapped for […]

January 9, 2024By Chris Forrester