English Entertainment
American youth acceptant of ad supported mobile services
MUMBAI: American youth are more interested in a free ad-supported mobile video service than in a subscription video service, such as those offered by Verizon Wireless.
Management consultant firm The Management Network Group (TMNG) has announced key findings from recently completed proprietary market research, Mobile Broadband Applications and Content: A Market Assessment among Youth and Young Adults
Males in the 13-24 age bracket are extremely interested in multimedia wireless services. Two out of five respondents said that they would be receptive to commercially supported video clip services. this represents an an opportunity for advertisers seeking to reach the highly lucrative young male demographic.
Among services, music ranks first among consumer interest with mobile TV and video ranking second and multiplayer, 3D gaming coming in third
Nearly one in four would either be extremely likely or very likely to switch to a competitive carrier if their existing carrier did not offer advanced, multimedia wireless content and services. The study states that wireless carriers should prepare to offer broadband multimedia services to their customers. Service providers risk losing up to one fourth of their younger subscriber base without these content and applications. The American cable industry is not well positioned today to take advantage of mobile broadband applications without a wireless service offering.
TMNG chairman and CEO Rich Nespola says, “The new generation of consumers is demanding greater choices, a more personalised telecommunications experience and will influence the direction that carriers will need to take as 3G and future mobile technology is delivered to the marketplace.”
While many wireless service providers in the US hope to boost their revenue streams with services like streaming music or video clip and music downloads to mobile phones there are still questions about demand for the new services.
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.
