ZEE UK scraps plans for ZEE News launch?

Could ZEE Network UK be scrapping its plans to launch ZEE News in the UK? Well, according to sources, the company’s plans to launch the channel may have now changed.

ZEE News, which was added to the Sky Digital EPG in May last year, has only been broadcasting recorded shows in the early hours of 01:00 – 04:00. Many have been speculating that this could be down to the channel retaining this EPG as a placeholder for another new ZEE channel. It is a part of Sky Digital’s terms and conditions to broadcast a minimum number of hours to retain an EPG slot, if the channel is not fully active.

While some have said that ZEE News is still launching in the UK to coincide with the looming India elections, others say that the service will be replaced with a niche channel from the ZEE bouquet like Veria Living – a healthy lifestyle living channel.

BizAsia understands that the company has injected big money to increase its local output. ZEE is expected to make an official announcement on its new local shows, which will broadcast on ZEE TV and Zing. There was also talk of broadcasting local news bulletins on its ZEE News channel.

At various occasions, BizAsia has attempted to query ZEE about plans for ZEE News but the broadcaster has refused to comment.

It remains to be seen what decision the broadcaster will make to stay as one of the UK’s most popular Asian TV networks.