English Entertainment
GRB takes docu-series & crime stories to Africa
MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment has announced a slate of docu-series, documentaries and crime program sales in Africa to MNET and ETV.
MNET acquired several docu-series including two seasons of the long-running series Braxton Family Values which features the rambunctious, tight-knit Braxton sisters — Grammy-winning artist Toni Braxton, her four sisters and their headstrong mother for an inside look at their lives. Cleveland Hustles follows basketball legend LeBron James and friend Maverick Carter as they give four aspiring local entrepreneurs the chance to realize their dreams while also revitalizing neighborhoods in their hometown of Cleveland. Flex and Shanice takes a look at the lives of 90’s pop singer Shanice and her husband, actor Flex Alexander and their extended family all living together under one roof as they strive to get back on their feet financially. Raising Whitley follows comedian Kym Whitley and her hilarious group of friends – whom she calls “The Village” – as they attempt to do something none of them have ever done before: raise a baby…together.
MNET also picked up Black In America, a collection of 8 documentaries exploring race and identity for African Americans as it pertains to education, business, community life, and even families.
ETV also acquired two seasons of Braxton Family Values along with successful spin-off series Tamar & Vince following rising musical superstar Tamar Braxton and her music-mogul husband, Vince Herbert, as they balance their careers with their personal lives. ETV took the full series, seven seasons, of long-running investigative crime series On The Case, exploring murder mysteries through in-depth interviews with witnesses and suspects while examining the forensic evidence that helped to unravel the mystery.
“As the television market in Africa continues to grow, GRB is thrilled to be working with MNET and ETV. Our documentaries, entertaining reality series and real-life investigative crime series have captured audiences around the world, and we are very excited to bring these titles to Africa,” said GRB Entertainment SVP – international distribution Michael Lolato.
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.
