English Entertainment
Carabao Cup Round of 16: English football’s topflight teams go head-to-head
MUMBAI: English Football League’s annual knockout competition – Carabao Cup heads towards another round of dramatic matches with some of the top clubs facing-off in the round of 16. The third round witnessed 32 teams battle it out for progression in the competition, with many scares and surprises as Manchester United needed penalties to overcome Rochdale – a League One team, while Tottenham fell victim to League Two side Colchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Red Devils have a lot to prove as they now face a tough trip to Stamford bridge where the mighty blues – Chelsea await them. Underrated Premiere League contenders – Arsenal take on current leaders – Liverpool at Anfield, while last year’s champions – Manchester City face Southampton in their pursuit of a third consecutive Carabao Cup at home at the Etihad Stadium.
Adding Carabao Cup football to the channels’ programming, Hashim D’Souza – Head of Programming, English Entertainment, Viacom18, said “Offering comprehensive entertainment for our audience across ages and milieu, we continue to add properties in our programming, from big ticket international awards to some of the most popular shows, as well as coveted events like the Carabao Cup. The fandom of English football in India is larger than any other league, and we’re showcasing some of the biggest knockout clashes of the season to the audience. With a few surprises in the previous round of matches, we expect fireworks in the upcoming games.”
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.
