English Entertainment
Key Fox TV exec seeks greener pastures at Paramount
MUMBAI: Gail Berman the Fox Television network president of entertainment is said to be leaving to take an unspecified role at Paramount Pictures.
An AP report indicates that Paramount is in discussions with Berman about a senior creative role at the studio and hopes to reach a deal soon. Paramount issued a statement saying, “Berman is one of the most talented executives in the entertainment industry, with great relationships, exceptional taste, and an amazing creative track record.” Fox and News Corp have not commented on the news.
Another report in The Hollywood Reporter indicates Berman may take on a role akin to that held by Sherry Lansing, who oversaw the studio’s creative decisions until her retirement. It is also not clear as to who will be succeed her at Fox. Speculation centered on FX Networks president Peter Liguori and 20th Century Fox TV president Dana Walden
Berman would be the first high-profile hire of Paramount head Brad Grey, who himself took the top spot at Paramount from Lansing earlier this month. Berman has led Fox for five years, a relatively long tenure in the pressure-cooker job of network entertainment. After its traditional slow start, Fox caught fire in January with the return of American Idol. Largely on the strength of that show, Fox is currently No. 1 this season among viewers aged 18-to-49. It ranks fourth when all viewers are counted.
The pressure to make a quick decision on a replacement for Berman is heightened by Fox’s recent shift to a year-round programming cycle. This means that in addition to presenting its plans for the second half of the year to advertisers in May, the network is scheduled to launch a miniseason of new and returning series by mid-summer.
Berman’s efforts to develop hits have been hampered by a schedule that is interrupted by Major League Baseball playoffs in October and November, when rival networks are building audiences for new programmes.
English Entertainment
ZEE5 UK partners Narrative Entertainment to add UK channels
Six FAST channels added as platform sharpens hybrid play in Britain
LONDON: ZEE5 UK struck a first-of-its-kind deal with Narrative Entertainment, bringing mainstream UK television channels onto an Indian streaming platform as it pushes to deepen its footprint in a crowded, mature market.
The partnership adds six of Narrative’s FAST channels to the service, including Great! Movies, Great! Romance, Great! Mystery and kids brands POP, Tiny Pop and POP UP, widening ZEE5 UK’s appeal across genres and age groups.
The move reflects a clear shift in strategy. ZEE5 UK is betting on a hybrid model that blends on-demand content with curated, always-on channels to drive discovery and increase time spent on the platform.
“This partnership represents a meaningful evolution in how we serve audiences in mature markets like the UK, where viewers are defined by habits, convenience and choice rather than geography or language alone,” said Parul Goel, territory head, Europe, Zee Entertainment. “By bringing trusted mainstream UK channels together with our premium originals, movies and kids’ content, we are building a more consumer-centric platform that simplifies viewing while increasing depth and relevance.”
Fateha Begum, commercial director, Narrative Entertainment, said the tie-up would fuel growth for both sides. “Our portfolio of quality programming, with such wide and enduring appeal, is a perfect complement to ZEE5 UK. This is a strong partnership that will support growth for both parties, and we share Zee Entertainment’s vision of an increasingly partnership-led future for the industry.”
ZEE5’s global library spans over 4,000 films and more than 500 originals, with over 130 new titles added annually. The addition of Narrative’s channels strengthens its kids offering and introduces genre-led linear experiences alongside its on-demand catalogue.
The deal also gives Narrative access to ZEE5 UK’s fast-growing user base, extending reach without diluting brand identity, while reinforcing ZEE5 UK’s network of more than 40 live channels.
As streaming wars intensify, ZEE5 UK is widening its playbook, blending content, convenience and partnerships in a bid to win screen time in one of the world’s toughest markets.
