MUMBAI: Indian media magnate Subhash Chandra, who owns the Essel Group of companies and Zee TV, will receive the 2011 International Emmy Directorate Award.

Chandra will make history as the ‘first ever’ Directorate Award recipient from India, at The International Emmy Awards Gala, in New York, on 21 November.

“Subhash Chandra is a one of a kind visionary- a self-made entrepreneur who made his mark on the Indian television industry by launching the first privately-owned channel in India. We look forward to presenting him with our 2011 International Emmy Directorate Award as Zee Entertainment Enterprises prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, in 2012,” said The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences president & CEO Bruce Paisner.

Chandra added, “I thank the Academy for bestowing this honour on me. Our belief has always been to explore and capitalize on opportunities that arise in form of new businesses. From being India’s first private satellite broadcast company; Zee Entertainment has spread its wings to being an International Media Enterprise today. As a company, our endeavor will be to build-on our good work, achieve greater heights and in-turn play an important role as pioneers, in shaping the growth & the future of the media and entertainment industry.”