iWorld
ZEE5 and Dialog announce a strategic partnership to bring the largest bouquet of premium regional content to Sri Lanka
MUMBAI: ZEE5, the largest digital entertainment platform for language content announced its very first international partnership in the SAARC region with Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider. The partnership will provide Dialog ViU app users with over 100,000 hours of premium regional content. Dialog ViU customers will be able to subscribe at a charge of LKR 350 per month to access one of the region’s best content libraries.
Dialog customers will be able to access ZEE5 Originals like Karenjit Kaur, Zero Kms as well as recent crime thrillers Rangbaaz and Abhay, scintillating Bollywood hits like Veere Di Wedding and Toilet; an extensive Tamil content library including top shows like Sembaruthi, Poove Poochoodava and Yaaradi Nee Mohini, ZEE5 Tamil Originals including Kallachirippu, America Mapillai and D7 as well as recent blockbusters like Mersal.
Speaking about the association, Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer- ZEE5 Global said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Dialog Axiata for our launch in Sri Lanka. With over 1,00,000 hours of content across multiple genres and 12 languages, Dialog’s subscribers now have access to the largest library of Indian content that’s available in one single destination. Sri Lanka is rapidly developing into an exciting market for entertainment content, and we look forward to jointly exploring this opportunity with Dialog Axiata.”
Commenting on the partnership, Mangala Hettiarachchi, Senior General Manager – Global and Content Services, Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We are extremely proud to have partnered with ZEE5 so soon into their international launch. This affiliation strengthens the content portfolio offered by Dialog ViU by opening one of the region’s best content libraries to our customers. Dialog customers can now watch the best content on the best video network in Sri Lanka at any time, from anywhere, on any internet-connected screen without commercials.”
ZEE5 offers over 1,00,000 hours of Indian TV Shows, Movies, Videos etc. across 12 languages to South Asians across the globe. ZEE5 is available on Google Play Store, iOS App Store, www.ZEE5.com and on Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV, Android TVs and Amazon Fire TV.
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.
