eMedia and Zee have announced the addition of a new channel on Openview called Zee One.
It launches this Monday 1 November on 111 and it's a general entertainment Bollywood channel with a premiere line-up of signature Zee shows that have mostly aired on the Zee World channel on DStv.
Titles include Guddan, Reach for the Stars, Our Perfect Place, Lies of the Heart and The Heir. You'll find more on these below.
Of course this turn of events immediately got us wondering about the recent situation between Bollywood channel Glow TV and Openview whereby Glow was suddenly ripped from the platform on 1 October with no warning or explanation.
When it happened we asked eMedia for comment on why the channel wasn't on Openview anymore but we didn't hear back.
We also asked Glow TV owners Nis Media who referred us to
statements they posted on social media saying that they'd taken legal action against eMedia.
According to their
second statement, the High Court ruled that Openview needed to reinstate Glow TV and that both parties must undergo an arbitration process to settle their dispute.
Does the drama between Glow and Openview have anything to do with the arrival of Zee on the platform?
It's a question that would make a great novela for either channel to air. 120 episodes. Monday to Friday. Weekend omnibus.
Zee One line-up
As for what to expect from the channel... here's an overview of the titles that will premiere when it launches:
Guddan
(This series hasn't aired on Zee World yet, the others have.)
Guddan, a cheerful yet clumsy young woman, ends up marrying a rich businessman with three sons and daughters-in-law. How will Guddan face the challenges that await her?
Reach for the Stars
Follows the lives of domestic workers and their struggles and aspirations. Enter Kamla Jadhav whose complicated relationship with her employer affects both their daughters.
Lies of the Heart
Urmi is married to Samrat, the epitome of male chauvinism. Their marriage disintegrates when cheating occurs.
Our Perfect Place
The story centres round the Mehta family and tells of their trials and tribulations. Can they remain united or will the past break bonds…?
The Heir
Amba raises her daughter, Manpreet, as a boy because she fears losing her child.
This also starts a run on eExtra on Wednesday 3 November at 15h50.