English Entertainment
Discovery acquires British tour firm to build new travel media group
MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has acquired the U.K.-based Antenna Audio as part of its efforts to build the newly formed Discovery Travel Media group. Antenna Audio is a specialist in audio tours and multimedia interpretation for museums, historical sites and cultural attractions around the globe.
Discovery Communications the president and CEO Judith A. McHale said, “The acquisition of Antenna Audio immediately gives Discovery a major presence in the growing audio and multimedia market around the world. The company’s global assets nicely complement Discovery’s television and digital services as we continue to aggressively pursue business opportunities that extend our trusted brands, increase revenue, and allow Discovery to package top quality content to consumers wherever they are and however they want it.”
Antenna Audio provides audio and multimedia tours in more than 20 countries and offers translations in multiple languages at more than 350 museums and cultural sites worldwide. Discovery plans to draw on Antenna’s resources to expand into the market for downloadable travel guides, as well as destination, city and walking tours. Antenna Audio sold more than 20 million audio and multimedia tours last year.
“Culture travelers are a coveted segment of the travelling public, and the power and reach of Discovery’s assets will allow us to strengthen and expand Antenna Audio’s position even further in the growing consumer travel market,” said head of Discovery Travel Media and the EVP and GM of Travel Channel Patrick Younge.
Discovery Travel Media includes the Travel Channel, available in more than 84 million U.S. homes, online assets including www.travelchannel.com and a broadband offering, Travel Channel Beyond (www.travelchannelbeyond.com) as well as travel related content for VOD and mobile platforms.
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.
