THE ZEE TV programmes, popular in hundreds of Guyanese households, will now be extended, through a partnership with National Television Network (NTN), which makes the latter sole authorised distributor of the shows. NTN Manager, Mr. Anand Persaud made the disclosure at a live press conference yesterday, stating that the deal will deliver more wholesome family entertainment locally.
He said the one year renewable agreement, between ZEE TV USA and NTN Guyana was signed last October, after talks towards proliferating the shows in other countries.
ZEE TV already has a presence in 168 countries, including some in the Caribbean, with an estimated viewership of 25 million outside of India.
Persaud encouraged other networks involved in local broadcasting and cable providers to join with NTN.
According to him, related correspondence has been sent to the different stakeholders and met with good response. But some unauthorised people continue to show ZEE TV and legal advice is being sought.
“We have to start putting ourselves right,” Persaud declared.   
He acknowledged that there is a level of piracy in Guyana, including at his station, but maintained that the move to standardise operations will see the network free of the illicit practice in a year’s time.
Persaud stated the new partnership is the beginning of a process that will see increased regularisation of programming advanced by NTN and its partners, more compliant with laws.
He added that this is also in anticipation of the Broadcasting Bill, which is expected to make provision for the establishment of a Broadcast Authority to provide licensing and related matters in the sector.
“…we do not know what is in it, but we cannot wait for it to come. We have to put ourselves right, so, when the time comes, channels can operate as normal,” Persaud said.
Meanwhile, the Distribution Manager of ZEE TV, Mr. Akhilesh Gupta said better standardisation will augur well for the expansion of its services planned in the coming year.
He said an additional five channels will be added to the network. At present, three are offered locally and in the countries where ZEE TV is present, they receive ZEE Punjab and ZEE Cinema, as well.  
Gupta attested that NTN was a good partner and assured that all efforts are being made to ensure that Guyanese experience the quality, in terms of better signal, that reflects the value for which ZEE TV stands.