Zee Music, currently known as Zing, is a satellite music channel from Zee Network, is a 24 hour music channel which airs both film and non-film albums thereby making it a platform for the new comers to reach the mass audience through their music videos. It broadcasts songs and entertainment programmes in Hindi and other Indian regional languages also. Zee Music is a completely modern Indian music channel with new shows, anchors and contemporary sets. Zee Music or Zing has maintained a strong and growing position in the market. The channel`s wide range of content makes it one of the most compelling mass channels in a niche segment. Constant innovation and ideation is the underlying theme when it comes to Zee Music programming. Zee Music or Zing includes various programmes like animation, humour, spoofs, music and celebrity gossip.
History of Zee Music
Zee music, also called Zing, was first launched in India by the Zee TV Network. Initially it started as Music Asia in 1997. But then it was re-launched and renamed as Zee Music in the year 2000. Again it was redesigned and refurbished in 2005. Lately, it was again repackaged and launched as Zing in 2009. The channel is also broadcasted in the UK as Zing since October 2009. Zing was also launched officially in North America on 21st July, 2011. The channel is available on the Dish Network platform in USA.
Programming Of Zee Music
Earlier Zee Music or Zing featured programmes like Artiste of the Fortnight; Zee Music Plus; Best of the Best; Zee Music Box; Next Gen; and many others catering to viewers from different age groups. Music lovers from across the country, be it the urban youth looking for peppy music and attitude driven programming or the middle class housewife wanting to relive her teenage days with old Hindi songs - have a reason to watch Zee Music. Zing for the Asia region is uplinked from Noida in India and uses Asiasat-3S.
Zee Music also used to showcase top music content from ETC Music, which is India`s No.1 Bollywood Music channel. The biggest asset that Zee Music (Zing) has is that they play full songs, unlike other music channels, which survive on 30- and 60-seconder clips serviced by the producer or the music company for forthcoming movies. Thus, Zee Music`s new programming format offers more Bollywood music than any other channels.
Zee Music not only has access to the largest music library, but they own the rights too. This makes them the best in terms of exclusive music software. Their maximum viewership is between 4 to 8 pm. In terms of time spend; Zee Music has a fairly high share of about five minutes. On an average, competition has an average time spend between 5.5 - 5.8 minutes. But Zee Music has a problem of connectivity as compared to its competition and the difference is fairly large. While the likes of Channel V and MTV India have approximately 75 % connectivity in cable homes countrywide, Zee Music is still at around 55 %. But Zee Music is a free to air channel, while the rest of the Zee channels are pay. Zee music also has interactive programmes but only for three to four hours.
The new version, Zing, shows varied programmes that features animations, spoofs, humour and celebrity interviews, along with music. It also features Chillax Mornings, a morning show that airs current music and songs from bollywood. Zee music is constantly upgrading its programming through regular innovation.
Development of Zee Music
For the first time, the channel has also recently lined up live music shows. They are all set to launch a true and live interactive music show that would be the first of its kind as others. On the agenda are live music shows, getting popular artistes like Shaan and Sonu Nigam into the studios and playing songs on request from viewers, making it the first music channel in India to do live shows. Even new veejays like Parimal, and Manish from Delhi and Vishal, Karan and Adita from Mumbai, have been lined up for a channel that has witnessed some distribution problems. The shows include `Please toh play` (the one-hour live show in the evening), Signs, Item Bomb and Imported.
According to TAM, presently in India, Zing has a share of 10.6% across SEC A, B, C. Zing has been ranked amongst the top 5 music channels in India. Zee Music is positioning itself as the total music channel, in contrast to competition that is either a youth channel or an imitation.
