English Entertainment
FremantleMedia ties-up with Pop for 176 episodes of ‘Baywatch’ in the US
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International and Pop, a network celebrating the fun of being a fan, have tied up to bring action drama Baywatch for the viewers this month. A joint venture of CBS and Lionsgate, Pop is present in over 80 mn households.
The series, regarded as one of the most-watched shows in worldwide television history, chronicles the lives of a team of hot young lifeguards set against the beautiful sun soaked beaches of Malibu, California.
FMNA SVPsSales and distribution Caroline Kusser said, “We’re delighted to be working with Pop to bring this much loved cult classic back to TV screens. Iconic characters, explosive storylines and of course, those famous red bathing suits ignited a huge global fan base and I’ve no doubt its return is set to become staple viewing this summer.”
Baywatch has aired in more than 148 countries worldwide and was produced by FremantleMedia North America. It is distributed worldwide by FremantleMedia International.
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.
