English Entertainment
Fox lines up special episode of ‘That 70’s Show’ in the US
MUMBAI: Fox has announced a bonus night for Americans on 12 May. The primetime schedule will include a 10-minute preview of the upcoming film The Day After Tomorrow.
The film will also be releasing in India on the same day as it is in the US 28 May. So promos pushing the movie that deals with global warming should shortly start appearing on the Star channels. Interestingly in the film a massive snowstorm pounds New Delhi.
In addition in the US Fox will air a extended episode of That 70s Show. This will feature a special compilation of bloopers and previously unseen outtakes from the past two seasons.
Rounding out the schedule will be a special expanded edition of the hit reality music show American Idol. In India the desi version of the show called Idol will hit Sony sometime during the year.
On the US show the four remaining contestants will take the stage one last time before one of them is eliminated from the competition. The live broadcast will see the contestant who receives the fewest votes getting eliminated.
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.
