Zee Kannada, stylized as Z Kannada, is an Indian Kannada-language pay television general entertainment channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, launched on 11 May 2006 as the third mainstream Kannada satellite channel. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, it is among the most popular Kannada-language channels.
History Before Zee Kannada was launched, Zee Telefilms once operated "Asianet Kaveri", a Kannada-language regional channel launched in June 2000 in a joint venture with Asianet. The channel was later shut down in July 2002 after failing to gain momentum in its intended region, although Zee originally planned to relaunch it under the "Alpha" banner. Later on 11 May 2006 at 05:00 (IST), as part of its Zee South initiative, Zee Telefilms launched Zee Kannada as its second entry in the South Indian market after Zee Telugu. It was originally intended to launch twenty days earlier but was delayed to pay homage to Dr. Rajkumar, following his death on 12 April.
In July 2009, Zee Kannada premiered three format shows, namely Yariguntu Yarigilla, Gunagaana, and Gramophone. The channel recolored its light-blue logo as seen in the main Zee TV at the time in blue and red, as part of a major rebrand which also included the plan to introduce programming aimed at audiences aged between 15 and 34. Zee Kannada launched a new brand identity, named Bayasid'dha Bāgilu Tegiyōṇa, and a high-definition channel in November 2018 at a grand ceremony during the Zee Kannada Kutumba Awards 2018.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Zee Kannada aired reruns of its prominent series, but relaunched in another new format on 1 June 2020 with fresh premieres of new episodes after the Karnataka state government permitted the channel to resume shootings of its series on 25 May. On 15 April 2024, Zee Kannada underwent a major rebrand, with a new marigold-inspired design interface meant to "capture the heart and soul of Karnataka". The channel changed its logo along with all of its sisters on 8 June 2025, with the logo itself being unveiled at the 23rd Zee Cine Awards.
Sister channels Zee Kannada News On 25 January 2022, the Zee Media Corporation launched Zee Kannada News, a sister channel of Zee Kannada, as a digital-only channel. The channel was announced to be converted into a linear one in March 2023 in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, launching the following month.
Zee Power Zee Power is a Kannada-language hybrid entertainment television channel airing a mix of films and television series, aimed primarily towards younger audiences. It was launched on 1 March 2020 as Zee Picchar as the Kannada-language counterpart of Zee Cinema, with the Hit Dinada Feeling slogan and as part of Zee's expansion in South India. Zee Picchar was first seen on promotional videos aired on the main Zee Kannada channel on 9 February 2020. The channel was rebranded as Zee Power in August 2025.
Programming
Current broadcasts
Drama series Premiere date Name Adaptation of Ref. 9 March 2026 Krishna Rukku Tamil TV series Veera 2 July 2025 Karna Hindi TV series Rajaa Betaa 29 May 2023 Amruthadhare Hindi TV series Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 16 January 2024 Lakshmi Nivasa 18 March 2024 Shravani Subhramanya Telugu TV series Ammayi Garu 17 June 2024 Brahmagantu Tamil TV Series Seetha Raman 1 September 2025 Shree Ragavendra Mahatme 27 January 2025 Na Ninna Bidalare 8 December 2025 Adi Lakshmi Purana Bengali TV series Parineeta
Former programming Drama series Original release Series Last aired Adaptation of8 February 2016Naagini7 February 2020Hindi TV series Naagin13 March 2017Jodi Hakki5 July 2019Marathi TV series Tujhyat Jeev Rangala12 June 2017Subbalakshmi Samsara3 April 2020Marathi TV series Majhya Navaryachi Bayko28 May 2018Kamali7 October 2022Telugu TV series Mutyala Muggu3 December 2018Paaru16 March 2024Telugu TV series Muddha Mandaram11 March 2019Gattimela5 January 2024Telugu TV series Varudhini Parinayam15 July 2019Radha Kalyana3 April 2020Telugu TV series Maate Mantramu9 September 2019Jothe Jotheyali19 May 2023Marathi TV series Tula Pahate Re17 February 2020Naagini 23 March 2023 7 December 2020 Sathya 10 August 2024 Odia TV series Sindura Bindu9 August 2021Hitler Kalyana14 March 2024Hindi TV series Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega20 March 2023Bhoomige Bandha Bhagavantha4 August 2024Hindi TV series Neeli Chatri Waale
Reality and Award shows Bharjari Bachelors Comedy Khiladigalu Dance Karnataka Dance Drama Juniors Genes Hemmeya Kannadiga Jodi No. 1 Mahanati Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Championship Super Queen Weekend with Ramesh Zee Kutumba Awards
References
External links Zee Kannada at ZEE5 Zee Kannada on YouTube