iWorld
Zee5 bolsters reach with Connect Broadband partnership
KOLKATA: The last few months have changed the way the world functions. Consumers are now looking at entertainment beyond the traditional DTH and cable TV. Since the pandemic, Zee5 has seen over 3X growth in its consumers. To enable easy access to OTT entertainment content, Zee5 has been working very closely with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country. The streaming platform’s latest partnership is with Connect Broadband, one of the largest ISPs of Punjab.
Consumers today are demanding more options and value from their internet service providers. Through the alliance with Zee5, Connect Broadband will enable easy access to the platform to its consumers via simple add to bill instructions.
To get access to Zee5’s premium content, movies, and live channels, Connect broadband consumers need to validate their registered mobile number via OTP either on Connect BB website or via Connect BB mobile application.
Zee5 offers over 100+ originals across genres, apart from a vast library which has over 1.25 lakh hours of content across 12 languages that include popular TV shows and blockbuster movies spanning various genres and formats.
Zee5 India SVOD SVP and head Rahul Maroli said, “In a connected world, the role of ISPs is critical to connect the household to the world. The past few months have seen an increased demand for broadband internet as people turn to the internet for work, entertainment, and communication. The strategic alliance with Connect Broadband enables us to provide our bespoke entertainment experience to an even wider audience. With consumers now looking at digital platforms to fulfil their entertainment requirements, we wanted to ensure that consumers get a seamless experience with the best of content to choose from. The alliance will leverage Connect broadband’s reach and Zee5’s content and technology to deliver seamless entertainment to the entire Punjab region.”
Connect Broadband spokesperson said, “With massive surge in consumption of digital content Connect Broadband makes it simpler for customers to access rich content from Zee5 without having to worry about data. During such unprecedented times, we urge all the citizens to stay home and stay calm, while we continue to serve the best of entertainment content across languages, genres, and a spectrum of devices. Our partnership with Zee5 enables us to maximise our reach by appealing to a massive content for Connect Broadband consumers. With this proposition, we are enhancing our relationship and reach with our customers.”
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
