English Entertainment
GRB, Fox Incendo in deal with CTV for b’cast of ‘Next Action Star’
MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment scores its first simulcast for Next Action Star by completing a deal with Canadian broadcaster CTV. The series launches in prime time throughout North America on 14 June, says a press release.
The event-driven reality series will be broadcast by CTV simultaneously with the NBC Network prime time launch set for 14 June. The announcement was jointly made on 18 May by GRB Entertainment president and CEO Gary R. Benz and Fox Incendo Television senior vice president / managing director Michael Murphy.
Fox Incendo Television represents GRB programs in Canada. Under the agreement, CTV will also hold rights to the Joel Silver-produced television movie, the final title of which is yet to be disclosed, that will feature the talents of the Next Action Star winners.
“Everyone knows what has happened to Mel, Bruce and Arnold thanks to their association with Joel Silver”, commented Benz.He further added, “Now with ONext Action Star, talented men and women who aspire to become Hollywood’s next action legend will have an opportunity to partake in a true competition where the stakes are unprecedented a starring role in a Joel Silver-produced film”.
According to Murphy, “We have had a great deal of success placing GRB programming with Canadian cable networks over the past few years, but this is our first network sale for them and by far the largest broadcast deal for GRB programming in Canada”.
“With weekly screen tests and a season-ending payoff ONext Action Star offers a fresh and exciting premise to viewers”, said CTV’s president of programming and chair of the media group Susanne Boyce.
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.
