A guard stands next to a banner of Zee television outside a film studio in Mumbai, India, September 24, 2021. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas - RC26WP9MQGQC

BENGALURU, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Top shareholders of Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE.NS) renewed their call for an extraordinary general meeting to remove Chief Executive Punit Goenka from the board, the Business Standard reported, citing a letter.

The letter from Invesco and OFI Global China Fund dated Sept.23 follows the company's disclosure of a merger deal with Sony Group Corp's (6758.T) India unit last week. read more

Invesco and OFI did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comments, while Zee said it will take necessary action as per the law.

According to the Zee-Sony deal, the majority of directors of the merged entity will be named by Sony Group, while Goenka will become the managing director and CEO.

The deal was expected to ease the pressure Zee was facing from Invesco and OFI, which together hold a 17.88% stake, for a management reshuffle.

However, in the letter the two shareholders said Zee's disclosure of the deal was "symptomatic of the erratic manner in which important and serious decisions have been handled at the company".

Earlier this month, Invesco and OFI had asked Zee to remove Goenka and two directors and sought the appointment of independent directors to the media and entertainment company. read more

Last week, Zee and Sony signed an exclusive, non-binding term sheet, creating a television powerhouse with about 75 news, entertainment, sports and movie channels in more than 10 languages.

The combined entity would be India's biggest player, with a market share of 27%, outstripping that of top rival Walt Disney Co (DIS.N). read more

The two companies will conduct due diligence and finalise definitive agreements in 90 days to present the merger proposal to shareholders, they said.

Zee shares fell as much as 5.3% in morning trade.

Reporting by Vishwadha Chander in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur

Source: Reuters

Powered by NewsAPI.org