NEW DELHI: It’s action time at the Subhash Chandra-controlled Zee Telefilms. The network not only has gone in for a complete makeover, including logos, but has also introduced the concept of mobile DTH service through its 20 per cent owned service, Dish TV.

India's first Direct-to-Home (DTH) service late last week unveiled a dish that can be installed on moving vehicles for TV viewing on the move. This is aimed at tapping long-distance bus and tour operators in the country.

A similar experiment is being tried out by Indian pubcaster Doordarshan through mobile digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) in Chennai.

With a consumer base of over 200,000, as claimed by Dish TV, the DTH service provider is pushing aggressively to press home some early advantage as it becomes imminent that Space TV, a joint venture between the Tatas and Star, would get a nod for a DTH service sooner or later.

Now for the news of the makeover. After almost 13 years of existence, Zee Network has decided to sport a new look, which also includes renaming of the three English channels.

So, from 27 march midnight Zee English is Zee Café, ZMZ is Zee Studios and MX is Zee Select. Comedy channel Smile TV is now Zee Smile and Trendz is Zee Trendz. All channels under the Alpha brand will be now under Zee brand.

The channels’ new, crisp and contemporary logos are part of a game plan to get a new image. In addition, Zee TV will have brand new on-air packaging and promotions as well.

According to a statement from Zee, the regional Alpha channels will be called Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Gujarati, Zee Punjabi and Zee Telugu. The re-branding exercise is being undertaken in a phased manner. Initially, the old and the new logos will be displayed together on the TV screens for the convenience of viewers. Gradually, the old logos will be phased out.

The statement quoted Zee Telefilms CEO Pradeep Guha as saying, “This re-branding exercise is the first step in weaving a thread of common identity between our many diverse brands. And, while each brand is a distinct entity of its own, now it is also an unmistakable member of the Zee family. Also, the re-branding is aimed at adding the extra zing and edge, which reinvents the spirit of the brand and brings it closer to our younger audience cohorts.”

Zee Telefilms, launched in October 1992, reaches more than 120 countries and has access to more than 500 million viewers globally. Zee Network has created strong brand equity for itself over the past years and is currently the largest media franchise serving the South Asian diaspora.