English Entertainment
NBC to telecast Hardwick’s ‘The Awesome Show’ showcasing tech advances
UNIVERSAL CITY (Calif.):: In partnership with Emmy Award-winning executive producer Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor), Chris Hardwick and the Silicon Valley institution Singularity University, NBC has ordered six episodes of “The Awesome Show,” a new series that will showcase the groundbreaking scientific and technological advances that are shaping the future, as well as celebrate the pioneers and communities at the forefront of this golden age of unprecedented discovery, innovation and opportunity.
Nerdist CEO comedian Chris Hardwick as well as host of NBC’s hit game show series “The Wall,” will executive, produce, develop and host “The Awesome Show.”
“The opportunity to develop a primetime show that celebrates science and technology was too good to pass up,” Hardwick said. “I started Nerdist 10 years ago as a tech news site. I was a contributor to Wired magazine for several years and hosted ‘Wired Science’ on PBS. It is very important to me to make something that positively promotes these topics in order to share humanity’s triumphs, to instill hope for our future and to inspire the next generation of young thinkers.”
“Innovation and discovery is something anyone at any age can participate in, and to be able to highlight and inspire an audience is very exciting,” said MGM president – television group & digital Mark Burnett. “Chris Hardwick has the perfect balance of humor and knowledge when it comes to exploring the depths of what is possible, and the audience will be entertained while at the same time having their minds blown!”
Each episode of “The Awesome Show” will be a rollercoaster ride through the world of innovation as told by the people who are shaping it and whose lives are affected by it. The series will highlight stories of revolutionary scientific and technological advances and will marvel at mankind’s tremendous feats, both now and in the future.
“By highlighting the pioneers of tomorrow, who dare to think differently to improve the way we live, work, play, move, and communicate – Chris Hardwick and his team will help us navigate the future in a hilarious and uplifting way,” said Universal Television Alternative Studio president Meredith Ahr. “This will be a first of its kind series that will bring the whole family together and start conversations about things that truly matter.”
“At Singularity University we believe in the power of technology to positively impact the world and create an abundant future,” said Singularity University associate founder and CEO Rob Nail. “We’re proud to be partnering with NBC to bring uplifting and important new perspectives into people’s living rooms and lives across the world.”
Singularity University (SU) is a global learning and innovation community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and build an abundant future for all. Hardwick is founder and CEO of Nerdist, the media empire under the Legendary Digital Network that includes his own Nerdist Podcast, which he continues to host weekly and garners over 5.5 million downloads per month.
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.
