English Entertainment
Animal Planet, WWF to make eco reality series for the global market
MUMBAI: This is an effort aimed at making the global television audience aware of the need for conservation.
Animal Planet, in conjunction with global conservation organisation WWF, has commissioned Granada Bristol to produce a six-part eco-reality series.
The show will air globally including Asia next year in 24 languages. Participants will take on a variety of WWF conservation challenges in Central America and Asia. WWF experts will mentor participants as they learn first hand about the realities of conservation. Production is scheduled to begin in a few months time.
Meanwhile in the US Animal Planet will air a special later this month to coincide with the release of the new Star Wars movie. It will give viewers a glimpse into stories behind the unique and quirky creatures that define the Star wars films. From Ewoks to Wookees to Boga, Star Wars movies have given viewers some of the world’s most memorable fantasy creatures — aliens so vivid, they almost seem real.
Animal Planet US GM and executive VP Maureen Smith says, “We are thrilled to present viewers with the fascinating stories behind
the creatures of Star Wars films. Animal Icons: Star Wars Creatures is an imaginative and engaging example of the type of programming Animal Planet wants to do more of and that certainly appeals to every generation in the family.”
The show tackles questions like where the idea for Jabba the Hutt originated. Apparently the
character of Chewbacca was inspired by film creator George Lucas’ family dog.
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.
