English Entertainment
Drama revolving around autism wins attention – and a place in Cannes
MUMBAI: The A Word, a series revolving around autism. by Fifty Fathoms and Keshet International and aired on BBC One on 22 March at 9.00 pm claimed a viewership of an average 4.7 million viewers which went up to 5 million in the final 15 minutes.
The numbers were double that of the competition on ITV1 and Channel 4 and 1.2% above the average annual share for the slot. It is based on the original Israeli drama Yellow Peppers by Keren Margalit who is also executive producer on the UK series.
Directed by Peter Cattaneo and written by Peter Bowker, the series has also been selected as one of the 12 high-end drama series to make an international debut at the inaugural MIP Drama screenings on 3 April. The series will be the first of all the dramas to debut at JW Marriot Hotel in Cannes from 10.10 am.
The impact of the premiere was also demonstrated through social media activity which revealed a nationwide conversation about viewers’ emotional response to the series, which was also trending on Twitter in the United Kingdom.
Bowker is a multiple BAFTA winner and Golden Globe nominee (Marvellous, Blackpool.) Cattaneo is an Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner (The Full Monty Rev).
The A Word is a smart, contemporary drama about a messy, extended family with Joe, a child with autism, which is unable to communicate because of a gulf between their deepest feelings and how they express them.
Alison played by Morven Christie and Paul Hughes enacted by Lee Ingleby are a mid-30s couple building a life in the Lake District for themselves and their two children. They live in close proximity to their extended family which includes Nicola played by Vinette Robinson and Steve enacted by Greg McHugh who are grappling with unfaithfulness in their marriage. Maurice played by Chris Eccleston plays a recent widower who is owner of the family brewery.
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.
