English Entertainment
Channel 4 picks up shows from Buena Vista
MUMBAI: UK broadcaster Channel 4 has acquired exclusive UK rights to screen Buena Vista International Television’s (BVITV) shows Betty the Ugly and Brothers and Sisters.
The deal was agreed between Channel 4 director of acquisitions Jeff Ford and BVITV executive director, sales, UK & Ireland Catherine Powell.
Based on the Columbian telenovela Betty La Fea, Betty the Ugly is a quirky one hour comedy series executive produced by award-winning actress Salma Hayek and Silvio Horta.
The show follows Betty Suarez (America Ferrera), a seemingly plain, but intelligent and hard-working, secretary at fashion magazine “Mode”. Between her boss Daniel and herself, neither of them knows the ins and outs of the fashion world, but together they’re a formidable team against the label-wearing sharks who will do anything to see them fail.
Actress Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal) stars in the drama series, Brothers & Sisters. Flockhart stars alongside Rachel Griffiths Six Feet Under and Ron Rifkin Alias in this drama from producer Ken Olin Alias and Jon Robin Baitz, one of Broadway’s most prominent playwrights.
As the adult children of William Walker, along with their respective families, gather to celebrate Kitty’s birthday, little do they know that, on this day, their lives will take a dramatic turn.
Kitty’s radio success has led to a TV pundit job in Los Angeles, but her boyfriend in New York has just proposed. Thomas has joined forces with his sister, Sarah, a high powered executive and mother of three, in an effort to fix the family business. Kevin’s well-ordered life is shaken by the news that his ex-wife is moving his adolescent son to Texas. Justin, a Gulf War vet, has kicked nicotine, but other addiction’s keep him from moving forward in his career and love life.
These siblings are about to find out that underneath the idyllic family facade lie many secrets that threaten to either tear the family apart or bring them closer together.
Ford said, “We are delighted to have secured the rights to these much sought after series that confirm C4’s commitment to the best of US drama.”
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.
