• Investment World
• eWorld
• Brand Line
• Mentor
• Life
• Brand Quest
• The New Manager

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Cross Currency

• Rates
  
  

Shipping

• Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources
• In Focus
• In Depth

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• The Hindu ePaper
• Business Line
• Business Line ePaper
• Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

Purvita Chatterjee

Mumbai, Dec. 24 Tapping into new revenue streams, Zee TV is now actively looking at e-commerce as a potential revenue generator. Considering it already has a Web site under zeetv.com which at the moment merely offers programme details, the network is planning to turn its portal into a remunerative proposition in the future.

“We are looking at monetising our existing Web site in the future. It is early days but we are tapping into the Net as an alternative revenue generator,” says Mr Tarun Mehra, Business Head, Zee TV.

There are also plans to get into the mobile space. “Ideally we would like to be in the mobile space and have been talking to mobile phone companies. However, Government regulations with regard to revenue sharing are still not clear in this space,” he added.

With advertising revenues under pressure due to the plethora of channels being launched, the network is hoping to add revenue streams through alternative media.

The company, which has assumed a leadership stance of late in the television industry, has not actively pursued other income streams unlike its nearest competitor Star.

Zee is also considering merchandising as an attractive business proposition. Having dabbled in the segment for some its popular shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in the past, it is now looking at pursuing the business more seriously.

As Mr Mehra says, “We have made small attempts in the past, but in due course we intend tapping into it as an important revenue stream. It makes sense to tie up with a brick-and-mortar retailer.”

Recently Star announced plans to forge a partnership with Big Bazaar for ethnic apparel based on its popular serials and talent-based shows.

Talent-based management is another area where Zee TV is expected to enhance its presence.

“We have already been in the talent and artist repertoire management space for the past two years. But now we would like to expand this a bit more considering there are so many shows, and make it an important part of our operations,” says Mr Mehra.

The network is ready with its latest channel — Zee Next — in the Hindi general entertainment channel segment.

It has lined up a series of marketing activities to gather attention for the new channel, and is investing in innovative media such as balloons, dabbawalas, and autorickshaws to gain visibility in Mumbai.

For instance, the dabbawalas will sport shirts and ties branded Zee Next while a couple of autorickshaws are being converted to look like a helicopter with LCD screens showing promos from the programmes of its latest channel.

More Stories on : Strategy | Outlook | E-Commerce & E-Business | Zee Telefilms Ltd | M-Commerce

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Zee sees Net, mobile as additional revenue streams

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line