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BT Vision in deal with Universal Networks for live streaming channels
MUMBAI: BT Vision in the UK has signed a contract with Universal Networks International, the international channels division of NBCUniversal. This will see leading channel brands, Universal Channel, Syfy and E! Entertainment added to its linear line-up, which will launch in the coming weeks.
The three channels will be streamed live and, early in 2013, BT Vision customers will also be able to watch specific programmes on-demand.
Universal Channel’s drama offering includes UK premieres of US crime franchises ‘Law&Order: Special Victims Unit‘ and ‘Criminal Intent‘, as well as ‘Rookie Blue‘ and ‘Flashpoin‘t.
Syfy’s blend of programming comprises drama, movies, reality and factual entertainment from the fantasy, supernatural and science fiction genres. The channel’s content includes dramas ‘Haven‘ and ‘Warehouse 13‘, futuristic thriller ‘Continuum‘ and paranormal investigation series ‘Fact or Faked‘.
Recently refreshed with a new on-air look and “Pop of Culture” tagline, E! is the destination channel for fans of celebrity, entertainment news and popular culture. The channel’s popular original programming includes the reality show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians‘; the Joan Rivers’ hosted weekly celebrity fashion report, ‘Fashion Police‘ and ‘Live from the Red Carpet‘, offering viewers unparalleled access to the awards season’s red carpet action.
The three new channels join BT Vision’s linear offering, which now includes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Real Time, British Eurosport 1 and 2, FX, National Geographic, National Geographic WILD and UKTV’s Gold, Watch and Alibi. BT will be announcing more new channels shortly.
BT CEO TV Marc Watson said, “Universal Channel, Syfy and E! make a fantastic contribution to our channels offering at launch. They offer the best quality drama, hit supernatural thrillers and popular entertainment shows that viewers love. As we expand the number of channels available soon for BT Vision customers, we hope that there will be something there for everyone. We will cater for drama lovers, comedy addicts and sports fans in equal measure. We are not finished yet and we will be announcing some more much-loved channels to complete our roster.”
Universal Networks International UK MD Laurence Dawkin-Jones said, “We are delighted to be able to bring BT Vision customers three of our core channel brands and the range of high-calibre programming they boast. From exclusive hit dramas to the world’s most-talked about reality series, our channels will make a unique and compelling contribution to the BT Vision offering.”
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
