English Entertainment
History Channel goes the lifestyle route
MUMBAI: Lifestyle programming is catching up in the country! The latest channel to venture into this segment is The History Channel.
It recently launched a new show Lifestyle dot TV which airs in the weekend at the 10 pm. Viewers can take a peek at the affluent lifestyles of the world’s elite, race in their motorcars and lap in the luxury of their opulent surroundings.
The History Channel senior VP content and communication Dilshad Master said, “The History Channel offers a wide variety of programming to its viewers. From documentaries on science and technology to biographies of compelling personalities, the channel’s latest offering of Lifestyle dot TV caters to the viewer keen on delving into the stories of the scintillating and glamorous lives of the rich and famous. It is the glitzier side of History,”
The episode on 20 November deals with fashion icon Calvin Klein. The kid from the Bronx who inherited a stunning sense of style and grew up to be one of the world’s top fashion designers. Calvin Klein has defined and survived fashion trends for nearly three decades. His instincts have always thrilled the fashion world. On Lifestyle dot TV, learn more about the life and styles of this renowned style guru.
On 28 November, Lifestyle dot TV will feature Harley Davidson. This success story began in 1903 when four men – the Davidsons and William Harley – launched a motorcycle marketing wonder in a Milwaukee shed.
As far as new programming initiatives are concerned Master said, ” A new show that we will be launching is X Men of History. This deals with people who have transformed the history as we know it. People like Pope John Paul II, Mao, Gorbochov.”
Talking about how the channel has been faring Master added, “Our biggest chunk of audience comes from 25 – 54 age group. However our core target audience is males 15-45. We cater to viewers who want television to be more than just a source of mindless entertainment. “
Master also claimed that the channel is doing well in 10 – 11 pm slot. “This is when our signature series Biography airs. This is closely followed by our long running series Boys Toys which is aired everyday at 11 pm. The other programme that gets high viewership is History’s Mysteries that is aired on Fridays at 8 pm.
Dwelling on shifts in viewership trends Master said, “Over past few months, we have seen an upsurge in the weekend viewing pattern. Some of our topical programmes like MoonWalk to commemorate the 35th year of man landing on the moon and Star Wars Unmasked – a History Channel exclusive worldwide premiere of the documentary commissioned by George Lucas himself were able to increase our share on Sundays.”
On the advertising front some of the big names that advertise include Bacardi, Tata Motors, Canon, Nokia, Mastercard, Max New York Life.
“Advertisers who target at 25 – 54 males are finding the channel’s offering very lucrative. Categories like white goods, financial services, automobiles have reacted very positively” Master added.
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.
