English Entertainment
Justin Gorman & Fremantlemedia launch Man Alive Entertainment
MUMBAI: Justin Gorman, former head of entertainment at Channel 4, has launched an independent television production company, Man Alive Entertainment.
Following an investment in the new company, FremantleMedia holds a 25 per cent stake in Man Alive Entertainment, with the option to increase its share in the future.
Man Alive Entertainment will develop and produce large scale entertainment and factual entertainment programming as well as reality, game show and quiz formats. Gorman has more than 20 years’ experience in creating, commissioning and producing series including the revamped TFI Friday, The Million Pound Drop Live, Alan Carr Chatty Man, Derren Brown and The Cube.
Prior to Channel 4 he was executive producer at Objective Productions (All3Media) and Princess Productions (Endemol Shine Group).
Gorman, who becomes creative director and CEO of Man Alive, said, “It’s very exciting to be launching Man Alive Entertainment. We are a small but very experienced indie, with a great track record in creating award-winning entertainment formats and multi-screen content. I’m delighted to have the backing of FremantleMedia – its creative network is unrivalled and I look forward to creating some outstanding television content for the UK and the world.”
FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark added, “Justin is one of the most respected execs in television, he has creative flair, great relationships with talent and broadcasters, and he’s been a part of some of the biggest shows in the industry. We’re looking forward to making some great shows and being part of the company’s growth.”
Hannah Dodson joins Gorman as head of development; Dodson was previously part of Gorman’s team at Channel 4 and executive produced The Mash Up, Stand Up To Cancer and The Secret Policeman’s Ball.
This news comes on the back of FremantleMedia’s investment in UK factual indie Full Fat TV announced last month, and follows a slate of deals that add to its creative network around the world including Naked Entertainment and Corona Pictures in the UK; No Pictures Please in the Netherlands; Fontaram and Kwai in France; and Wildside in Italy.
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.
