Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) has ripped down content from Reliance Jio’s all platforms meaning that channels like Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Marathi and others have stopped streaming on Jio TV. Most likely this has happened because both the parties were not able to reach on a definitive agreement over finances. Mukesh Ambani led telco, Reliance Jio and ZEE had signed a long-term contract for sharing content on Jio’s streaming platform in mid-2016. However, that contract now seems to be forgone seeing this new development.
As per an ET report, there seems to be a clash of opinion happening behind closed doors between Reliance Jio and ZEE. One highly placed official remarked about this new development. He said “There are commercial issues. Jio has grown too quickly and today has over 215 million subscribers,” and added “Many subscribers consume live TV channels on Jio TV. ZEE seems to be looking for a better commercial arrangement, which Jio did not favour.”
Not only the TV content, but ZEE had also partnered with Jio to provide library content to the telcos’ viewers under JioCinema. However, after August 6, that collection from ZEE also seems to be off the site as well. Both the parties remain mum on the issue as of now.
On the other hand, Reliance Jio has put out words of reassurance via a spokesperson who remarked that Jio is dedicated to bringing a lot of digital services within reach of the customers. He said, “Jio is working with all the participants in the eco-system in a way that creates a win-win relationship for consumers, broadcasters and others alike.”
It was only in last month when in the Annual General Meeting of Reliance Jio, Mukesh Ambani revealed that Jio had 215 million users on its network within 22 months of operation and data usage on Jio was soaring as high as 240 crore GBs per month, while video consumption had grown to 340 crore hours per month.
