English Entertainment
Jolie, Pitt square off on Star Movies’ ‘Opening Night’
MUMBAI: A bored married couple is surprised to learn that they are assassins hired to kill each other! On 5 June 2005 at 8:30 pm Star Movies’ programme Opening Night will showcase two Hollywood hotties Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. And Mrs. Smith.
What is unique about the concept of Opening Night is that it brings footage of big blockbusters prior to the theatrical release in India.
Mr. And Mrs. Smith is being billed as a smart, witty thriller that keeps up the action and fun by showcasing the gripping conflict between a blistering husband and his pretty wife. It is all 
about danger, sex and misunderstanding.
Opening Night will not only showcase clippings of the unreleased movie, but will also take viewers behind the scenes for an exclusive snapshot on the making of this exhilarating thriller. In fact, to bring the necessary attitude to their portrayals of top assassins proficient in a number of firearms and deadly martial arts; Pitt and Jolie actually attended what the filmmakers describe as “spy school.”
Inspired by the ballet-like grace of Hong Kong action films, the ideas for the script were more akin to those of a traditional musical than the conventional action movie. Opening Night will showcase the real story behind this dangerous cat and mouse game, which culminates into an explosive fight between a husband and wife.
Presented by rising star Terence Yin Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life Opening Night gives viewers an up-close and intimate view of the most anticipated films before their general release. Previous episodes of this hit show has featured Hollywood blockbusters like Robots, Ocean’s Twelve, I- Robot and Kingdom of Heaven.
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.
