English Entertainment
Discovery to air a four part travelogue on ‘Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet’
MUMBAI: This year infotainment channel Discovery increased the number of hours devoted to India themed programming. Each week Discover India airs in a two hour block now instead of just one hour in the past.
Now in its endeavour to present India’s cultural heritage and natural diversity, Discovery has produced a special four-part programme on Chhattisgarh. The travelogue Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet the channel says will present a journey of surprise and enchantment, uncovering the mystical, traditional place.An Indian commission, Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet will air on consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday), 9-10 December and 16-17 December at 10 pm.
Discovery India executive VP, MD Deepak Shourie said, “Discovery Channel has showcased India’s diverse cultural and natural landscape through captivating programmes. Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet explores the state’s inimitable and unexplored attractions and will serve as a gateway for eco and ethno-tourists from across India.”
The Honourable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr Raman Singh said, “Chhattisgarh is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity offering an interesting blend of nature, ethnic, heritage, wild life and eco-tourism. The state is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus.
“Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer an alternate experience to tourists. I am delighted that travellers across India will be able to explore the state’s unique attractions on Discovery Channel – an ideal partner in our endeavour to showcase Chhattisgarh’s tourism potential.”
Honorable Minister of Tourism and Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Brijmohan Agrawal said, “It is my firm belief that in the coming years Chhattisgarh will emerge as a leading tourist destination and will leave its mark on the international tourist map. I am confident that Discovery Channel’s programme Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet will help position the state as an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.”
Presenting one of India’s least explored eco and ethno-tourist destinations, the show will take viewers through the state’s history, culture, architecture, wildlife and its varied tribes. Providing a holistic view of the state, the programme will cover Raipur, Kawardha, Bhoramdev, Kumhapura, Jagdalpur, Sirpur, Turturiya, Kanger National Park, Tirathgarh and Chitrakoot waterfalls, Bastar tribes, forests, tribal ‘Haats’ and villages and craft centers.
Covering the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, the first episode presents its large tribal population and abundant natural resources. Exploring the state’s traditions, this episode will take viewers through the weekly markets called ‘Haats’, local food, customs, dance and festivities. It will uncover the state’s handicrafts like terracotta at Nagarnar village through interactions with the artisans. The episode will also showcase the ancient temples at Barsur.
The second episode highlights the heritage of the state in terms of its history and architecture – excavations at Sirpur, Laxman temple, Rajiv Lochan temple, Danteshwari temple, Bhoramdeo temple and Mainpat, a Tibetan settlement. The viewers can also witness Teejan Bai’s captivating performance at the Laxman Temple at Sirpur.
The third segment is an ode to the artistic traditions of the state. It gives a glimpse into the crafts and costumes through interactions with tribals and artisans. Viewers will discover their culture, unique delicacies like the red ant chutney and interesting traditions like Ghotul. Viewers will also learn the rare craft of bell metal from master craftsman Jaidev Bhagel. Apart from the cultural aspect, the episode would also showcase the natural beauty of the state including the spectacular waterfalls at Chitrakoot.
The final episode takes a look at the natural splendour of the state, showcasing its many national parks and flora and fauna. Viewers will get to see picture-postcard waterfalls at Tirathgarh and the verdant valley. They will get a taste of life in a jungle and a glimpse of its wildlife – leopard, deer and bison. Apart from the sanctuaries in Bharnawapara, Kanger and Udanti, viewers will also visit the megalithic rock site of Karkabhat with archaeologist A K Sharma.
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.
