English Entertainment
BBC Four acquires Swedish thriller from FremantleMedia
MUMBAI: BBC Four has acquired the 8×60’ Swedish international drama series Modus from FremantleMedia International (FMI).
BBC Four editor Cassian Harrison said, “BBC Four continues to bring the very best international drama to its audience and I’m delighted that we will be showing Modus, from a terrifically talented, award-winning team. With a gripping story-line and rich, complex characters this is a clever, entertaining Saturday night treat.”
A nail-biting, contemporary thriller with a well-woven tapestry of compelling characters and shocking crimes, Modus is a tale of love and hate, and of deadly, holy wrath. Modus is one of many international dramas coming up on BBC Four including; Trapped, Follow the Money and seasons two of The Code and Hinterland.
BBC head of programme acquisition Sue Deeks added, “Modus is a tense and atmospheric crime thriller with a chilling core – it will make a riveting addition to BBC Four’s Saturday nights.”
FMI EVP – sales and distribution, EMEA Jamie Lynn said, “BBC Four is recognised by the international broadcast community for its quality foreign drama and has landed and launched some of the industry’s biggest Scandi titles in its Saturday night slot, all which have gone on to receive worldwide acclaim. This prestigious slot has become a beacon, and when searching for the next big non-English language hit, the international world looks here. We are delighted BBC4 has selected Modus to air in this slot.”
Modus stars Melinda Kinnaman, Henrik Norlén, Marek Oravec and Krister Henriksson.
Modus is written by the three-time Emmy Award winning screenwriting duo, Mai Brostr?m and Peter Thorsboe and is loosely based Anne Holt’s bestselling novels featuring Inger Johanne Vik.
The series is directed by award-winning The Bridge director Lisa Siwe, and Arne Dahl director Mani Maserrat, and produced by Sandra Harms, Miso Film Sweden.
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.
