English Entertainment
‘Martha’ show gets deal for Canada
MUMBAI: US media firm Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) and Alliance Atlantis Communications (AAC) have announced a partnership that will bring Martha, MSLO’s new syndicated television show to AAC’s Life Network in Canada.
Martha will broadcast air daily on the Canadian network from 12 September. In addition, the agreement provides for MSLO’s new 13 part original home improvement series to air on HGTV Canada in 2006, and MSLO’s popular new cooking show Everyday Food to launch on Food Network Canada later this year.
MSLO president and CEO Susan Lyne says, “We are very pleased that Martha and Everyday Food will be available to Canadian viewers later this year. Our relationship with Alliance Atlantis gives us the opportunity to expand distribution of our signature ‘how-to’ programming to new markets and audiences.”
As had ben reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Martha is a co-production beween MSLO and reality TV guru Mark Burnett and it will air in more than 96 per cent of the US television landscape. The hour-long show will be taped live with a studio audience and programming format that allows audience members and special guests to participate and interact with Martha Stewart.
Viewers will learn new ways to enhance their lives as audience members and even celebrity guests help Martha unveil great ideas and new projects — from cooking and entertaining, to
decorating and home renovating, and more. The segments will be engaging, illuminating and fun, appealing to a broad audience of viewers.
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.
