English Entertainment
Sea it to believe it David Attenborough dives deep with National Geographic
MUMBAI: From the man who’s shown us the planet’s wildest wonders comes a call louder than the crashing waves and this time, the sea is the story. To mark World Oceans Day, National Geographic and Sir David Attenborough have teamed up for the first time to present OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, a sweeping, feature-length documentary that blends science, storytelling, and soul-stirring visuals to shine a light on our planet’s blue heart and how we might just save it. The film premieres on Sunday, 8 June at 7 pm on National Geographic and streams the same day on JioHotstar.
At 99 years old, the legendary broadcaster, biologist, and knighted natural historian delivers what may be his most powerful message yet. Drawing on a 70-year career of exploration, Attenborough takes viewers on an awe-inspiring undersea journey from coral reefs to kelp forests, seamounts to the open ocean showing how the Earth’s watery lungs are all interconnected, increasingly imperilled, and yet astonishingly resilient.
With haunting new footage of bottom trawling, the film doesn’t flinch from showing the devastation being caused by destructive fishing practices. But rather than wallowing in gloom, Attenborough and the filmmakers focus on solutions: stories of hope, restoration, and revival, offering evidence that if action is taken now, marine life can recover at unprecedented scale.
“If we save the sea, we save our world,” declares Attenborough and the science backs him. According to recent studies and inputs from advisors including Enric Sala, founder of National Geographic Pristine Seas, ocean protection efforts can lead to rapid biodiversity rebounds and support climate stability.
The film’s timing is no accident. It aligns with the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice and falls mid-decade of the UN’s Ocean Science for Sustainable Development plan (2021–2030), lending weight to its message.
As National Geographic EVP Tom McDonald put it, “There is no one better to deliver this landmark film than Sir David.”
In India, where over 11,000 km of coastline supports thriving marine ecosystems and millions of livelihoods, the message couldn’t be more personal. JioStar president of entertainment Alok Jain noted, “This is not just a global story, it is our story too.”
With sweeping cinematography, compelling accounts, and Attenborough’s trademark gravitas, Ocean urges viewers to rethink their relationship with the ocean. The film also offers hope that with the right marine protection policies and public pressure, we can restore what’s been lost beneath the waves.
Later this year, the film will also be made available to educators and non-profits worldwide, bringing the message to classrooms, museums, and conferences.
Directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey, and Colin Butfield, and produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, Ocean is not just a documentary, it’s a rallying cry for ocean lovers, policy-makers, and future generations.
Tune in this Sunday, 8 June at 7 pm because when Attenborough speaks, the world listens. And this time, the sea needs us to.
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.
