English Entertainment
India’s rare black tiger prowls onto National Geographic’s October cover
MUMBAI: Black is the new roar. India has made global headlines as a rare black tiger from Odisha’s Similipal national park takes centre stage on the cover of National Geographic’s October 2025 edition.
The striking image, captured by Indian photographer and National Geographic explorer Prasenjeet Yadav, shines a spotlight on one of the world’s rarest big cats, and on India’s growing role in wildlife conservation.
Similipal is home to about 30 tigers, nearly half of which carry the rare genetic mutation that gives them their striking pseudo-melanistic coats. Photographing one of these elusive cats, known as T12, was no easy feat. Yadav spent more than three months patiently tracking and observing before capturing the defining moment.
“Being out in the forests of Similipal was intense and humbling,” Yadav reflected. “To see this story now on National Geographic’s cover is both an honour and a reminder of why we document India’s extraordinary wild heart.”
The cover story, praised by Nat Geo editor-in-chief Nathan Lump, goes beyond the image itself. It underscores the importance of genetic diversity, warning that saving animals is just the first step, ensuring their long-term survival demands broader action.
Jiostar’s Alok Jain, who oversees National Geographic in India, added: “This almost mythical sight reflects the power of nature’s mysteries and continues Nat Geo’s legacy of ground breaking storytelling.”
The achievement also highlights the tireless work of the Odisha forest department, scientists, and conservationists working to protect fragile ecosystems. More than a photograph, it is a global reminder of India’s conservation commitment.
With this historic cover, National Geographic not only celebrates the rare black tiger but also elevates India’s role in safeguarding the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife, one frame at a time.
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.
