Zee getting into US production

Indian media outfit Zee is set to produce local content in the United States for the first time. Punit Goenka, director at Zee Entertainment, told TBIvision that it will launch two reality based singing contests for its Zee USA channel.

First up it will launch An Takshri and Sa Ra Ga Ma Pa (Do Re Me) later this year following the start of production in April. It has opened a production office in Dallas, Texas.

"The viewers want to participate so we’re bringing them the shows," he said. This follows the launch of a number of locally produced formats in the Middle East.

Zee is also expected to produce kids programming in India for the first time and is prepping a kids channel. Pradeep Guha, CEO of Zee Entertainment, told TBIvision: "We originally decided not to be in the kids space but it’s something that we’re definitely looking at now as the cost of animation comes down."