English Entertainment
Fox Sports is fastest growing sports site in US
MUMBAI: The recently formed alliance between Foxsports.com and the MSN network contributed to a 265 per cent increase in site visitors to Foxsports.com.
This data is contained in the latest ratings from Nielsen//NetRatings. Last month the relaunched Foxsports.com on MSN was the fastest-growing sports website in the US with more than 9.4 million unique users.
The partnership between MSN and Fox Sports kicked off on 1 July. The redesigned site offers fans and marketing partners a rich blend of editorial content and fast, easy access to breaking news, scores, streaming video, game highlights and much more.
The increased traffic to Foxsports.com on MSN in July was propelled by several major sports events, including the Tour de France, the British Open, Wimbledon and the Major League Baseball 2004 All-Star Game, which aired on Fox.
Video streaming proved to be another significant performer on the new MSN site. Broadband users sought out millions of streams from Fox Sports and Fox Sports Net content, including clips from the Best Damn Sports Show Period; I, Max ; and the Regional Sports Reports.
Also, Foxsports.com debuted its sports and entertainment-themed area called Funhouse for MSN users. The Funhouse instantly became a highly viewed sections on the site, appealing to a broad cross-section of the global MSN audience. The area focuses on light, entertaining sports news including sports gossip and interviews from Best Damn Sports Show Period star Leeann Tweeden, photo galleries and off-beat sports columns.
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.
