English Entertainment
Discovery most watched channel in Asia among movers & shakers: Pax survey
MUMBAI: Discovery is the number one regional cable and satellite channel in Asia for the ninth consecutive year for past month, past week and yesterday viewership, according to the latest quarterly Pan-Asian Cross Media Study (Pax) conducted by Synovate.
The survey is conducted across eleven key markets including India, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. It measures the media habits of Asia’s wealthiest urban individuals aged 25-64 covering a universe of 14 million viewers.
In the survey, Discovery takes the lead position as the most watched regional TV channel amongst Business Decision Makers (BDMs), Professional, Manager, Executive, Business Men (PMEBs) and high net worth individuals. The channel also reaches 30 per cent of the top management viewers on a weekly basis.
In addition, Discovery attracts the most viewers during primetime amongst all regional channels, has the highest frequent viewers and catches the most audience from 12 pm to 6 am.
Discovery Asia senior VP marketing and communications Kevin Dickie said, “These results attest to the value cable subscribers place on Discovery Channel, recognising it as a network that continues to deliver high quality real-world entertainment for the ninth consecutive year.
“We are committed to provide the most compelling factual and lifestyle content that appeals to our target audience, and remain a strong proposition for both our affiliate partners and advertisers.”From a network perspective, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Travel & Living have increased Discovery Networks Asia’s share of the market by 2.7 per cent , with each channel increasing reach by two per cent in tracked markets. Moreover, all three channels rank within the top 10 amongst high net worth individuals, females and frequent viewers.
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.
