ZEEL to launch Punjabi GEC Zee Punjabi shortly

Zee Entertainment is also set to expand its offerings in the Punjabi market with the launch of its upcoming General Entertainment channel Zee Punjabi. The broadcaster today has published a newer version of its Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO) which includes Zee Punjabi, first spotted by DreamDTH.

Zee Punjabi will be available to a-la-carte subscribers at a nominal rate of Rs 0.1. The channel will be available in only four bouquets namely Zee Family Pack Hindi SD, Zee All-In-One Pack Hindi SD, Zee Family Pack Hindi HD, and Zee All-In-One Pack Hindi HD.

The LCN parameter for DPOs to avail incentives has been set as 1 to 2 in Slab 1 and 3 to 4 in Slab 2 for Zee Punjabi and is to be placed among its competing channels PTC, DD Punjabi and similar channels.

It is the 11th version of ZEEL’s RIO ever since the new regulations came in. The channel is likely to launch officially after the new RIO kicks into effect on 23 December as the new regulations mandate that any change needs to be informed 30 days before to the regulator. Zee Punjabi will compete with the likes of PTC, DD Punjabi in the Punjabi market.

ZEEL had recently only been granted the permission by the I&B Ministry to launch Zee Punjabi. DreamDTH had exclusively reported around a month back that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had in the last few months approved more than two dozen name change approvals from various broadcasters. Big Magic Punjab license had made way for Zee Punjabi. 

ZEEL Managing Director and CEO Punit Goenka during 2QFY20 Earnings Call had commented upon ZEEL’s regional expansion.

“We are on track for the launch of new regional channels in line with our annual plans.”

2QFY20 Earnings Call Edited Transcript

ZEEL as part of its stated strategy has been aggressively building a sizable movie library across languages over the past couple of years. In addition to helping the existing channels improve their viewership share, it will help it launch movie channels in three regional markets including Bhojpuri during FY20. The broadcaster had earlier in July launched its Hindi HD premium movie offering &xplor HD. Zee Picchar and Zee Thirai are expected to launch later on in early 2020.