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Vimala Vasan

Mr Subhash Chandra

Abu Dhabi , July 19

ZEE Network announced on Monday that it will establish its headquarters for international operations at Dubai Media City. Zee will invest Dh 30 million in the initial phase of the new facility, the Dubai Media City said in a statement.

Following the signing of the formal agreement between Zee and Dubai Media City, Mr Subhash Chandra, Chairman & Managing Director of Zee Telefilms Ltd, said, "Considering that Dubai is at the crossroads of the West Asia , Europe, Africa and South Asia, this move is strategic to Zee Network, as it will help enhance reach to our international viewers."

"Zee Network, as a global media conglomerate, would like to associate with Dubai Media City, which is rapidly emerging as a global media hub," Mr Chandra added.

"We see our partnership with Zee Telefilms as a vehicle to achieve this, and at the same time enhance Zee's position of leadership in the global broadcast industry," said Mr Ahmed Bin Byat, Director General of Dubai Technology & Media Free Zone.

With a bouquet of 21 satellite TV channels dispersed around India, Zee Network enjoys an estimated reach of 6.5 million households, and a viewership of 225 million people in over 80 countries. Zee Network will use the Dubai Media City facility for uplinking of its international beams. Dubai Media City's sophisticated communication infrastructure and wide spectrum of support services has made it home today to over 30 broadcasters operating more than 60 TV channels. The geographical regions Zee services include West Asia, North and South Africa, the Indian sub-continent, CIS countries, and Europe.

Over a period of less than four years, Dubai Media City has succeeded in attracting leading regional and international broadcast names. This success has been primarily attributed to its latest teleport facility, run by its sister concern SamaCom; a vertically integrated satellite services provider, with a self-owned and self-managed communication infrastructure.

Apart from the commercial benefits that include 100 per cent ownership of businesses and complete exemption of taxations and custom duties, broadcasters based at the Dubai Media City also benefit from their presence among a growing specialised media community comprising similar and complementing industries. Today, with over 850 companies, Dubai Media City's ever-increasing number of companies includes leading global players such as Associated Press, Bertelsmann, CNN, CNBC, International Advertising Association , McGrawhill Platts, Sony, and Reuters, as well major regional players such as Middle East Broadcasting Corporation, Saudi Research and Publishing and Taj TV.

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