English Entertainment
ITV conducts webinar on content production during lockdown
MUMBAI: Broadcasters and OTTs are trying their best to keep the show running amid the restrictions of social distancing in the wake of the Covid2019 pandemic. In this context, indiantelevision.com organised a webinar on 5 May, 2020 to help the fraternity to tide over the current crisis in production. The theme of the webinar was ‘Challenges in producing news and entertainment in the times of lockdown and Covid2019'.
The webinar featured TVU Networks, a technology and market leader in IP- and cloud-based live video solutions. TVU demonstrated how remote and effective TVU technology can be used as a production tool to run news bulletin/shows from remote locations, without having to use a studio.
The webinar enabled programme heads/CTOs to share ideas and acquire industry-leading knowledge, insights, knowhow and expertise.
Those who attended the webinar are:
Jared Timmins, SVP Solutions, TVU Networks,
Devendra Maurya, technical head, TV9 Networks
Sukanta Rana, Head technical & engineering, Odisha Television
Hoicho VP – content Anindo Banerjee
Ajit Nambiar, chief promo director, Asianet News Network.
Senior TV journalist Bhupendra Chaubey
Manish Sharma, Sr VP broadcast technology and operations, ABP News Network
Fakt Marathi co-promoter Shirish Pattanshetty
Bijumohan R from Mathrubhumi Television
The session was moderated by Indian Television Group founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari.
The Mountain View, California-headquartered TVU has been working is technology and market leader in IP- and cloud-based live video solutions. It is working with India broadcasters through its Business Continuity Initiative to help identify and offer the tools needed by customers to help sustain businesses while supporting the larger local community during this unprecedented time. As a part of this initiative, TVU is providing TV stations with the TVU Anywhere mobile app for reporting and anchoring, TVU Producer for cloud-based production and TVU Grid for video pool feeds and cross-sharing of video content for free through the end of May 2020.
TUV associates with news stations and government offices in certain countries, including the USA, to set up video pool feeds using TVU Grid, TVU’s IP switching, routing and distribution solution, to streamline the sharing of critical information on Covid2019.
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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.
