New property expert brought on board by popular demand

Dubai, UAE, 3 October, 2007: Following its extremely successful debut season this summer, Zee TV's property and lifestyle show 'Habitat' has now introduced a new segment called "Property Helpline".

The move came after the Zee TV team received thousands of queries and letters related to property from Habitat viewers across the Middle East.

Manoj Matthew, VP-Marketing & Corporate Communications, Real Media-Zee Network, said: "Property Helpline has been added to provide Habitat viewers with a one-stop-hotline that answers every conceivable question about the property market in the Middle East. From investing to leasing to renting to mortgage rates, the segment provides an accessible and interactive platform for audiences to raise and resolve their property-related concerns".

Ashvin Nivsarkar, has been simultaneously introduced as the real estate expert for the segment. Ashvin holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and has extensive experience in buying, selling, leasing, re-selling, and sub-leasing properties as diverse as apartments, offices, warehouses, labour camps, hotels, residential complexes, and shopping malls.

Along with Shadaab, the dynamic host for Habitat, Ashwin gives pertinent and effective advice to Habitat each week.

Commenting on the new segment, Rajeev Kheror, Creative and Programming Head, Zee TV Middle East, said: "We are always trying to make our programmes more interactive and customized for the needs of the individual viewer. Habitat has already developed quite a fan following and with the induction of Ashvin as our resident real estate expert, we are expecting the ratings to go up even higher".

Since August, Habitat has also been made available to Zee TV's UK beam, reaching more than 200,000 South Asian households in the UK.

-Ends- 

About Real Media - Zee Network
Real Media - Zee Network is the regional arm of Zee Network & Essel Group. It spearheads its activities in Middle East, Northern Africa & Pakistan. Real Media & Zee Network covers the entire media spectrum including television programming; satellite broadcasting; cable distribution; production & distribution of films; music publishing; theme parks; entertainment zones; multiplexes; long distance education and the creation of animation software.

The network today has an estimated reach of over 350 million viewers in over 120 countries including all major markets such as Asia-Pacific, Middle East, United Kingdom, United States of America, Africa, Caribbean Islands, Australia and Canada.

About Zee TV Middle East
Zee TV Middle East is one of the first Asian channels from the Indian Sub Continent to have a dedicated Middle East beam for its viewers in the Middle East and Pakistan. It caters to the vast diaspora of Indian sub-continent expats in the region. Zee TV is a general entertainment channel available of Pehla, E Vision and Qatar Cable. Apart from being a preferred Asian channel in many leading hotels and other Multiple Dwelling Units (MuDs). Zee TV's programming delivers a variety of choices for all segments of the audience, including primetime comedy and drama series, television movies, miniseries, theatrical films, specials, children's programs, daytime dramas, game shows, and late night shows. Zee has always believed in bringing innovative programming to its Middle East viewers. Since its inception the channel was brought ground-breaking programming like Gulf Pulse, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Middle East Challenge, Anthakshari Middle East Masti, and many more. Zee TV Middle East entertains 2.6 Million viewers in the G.C.C.

For more information, please contact:
Nadia Ejaz/ Michelle Silva
BPG Public Relations
Tel: +971-4-295 3456;
Fax: +971-4-295 1027
E-mail: nadia@batespangulf.com  /  michelle@batespangulf.com

© Press Release 2007