English Entertainment
Star World’s new reality show searches for a swimsuit model
MUMBAI: 12 girls, six weeks of exotic shoots. The aim is to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue.
These are the key ingredients of a reality show Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search . This will air on English general entertainment channel Star World every Tuesday at 10 pm from 11 July.
With a combination of beauty, athleticism and personality, one of the 12 will win a million-dollar modelling contract, and a glamorous appearance in the best-selling issue of any magazine in the world. The show will have lots of sunshine, slick bodies and exotic shoots.
This is also the first model competition where the viewer gets to vote for the final winner. The six-part series focusses on what it takes to become a successful swimsuit model aside from the eye candy. The 12 finalists will live in Los Angeles where they will be widely tested on their physical fitness, mental endurance and modelling skills. Whoever doesn’t have what it takes, gets kicked off the show – two by two every week.
When only two are left, they are flown off to a luscious location to shoot a spread for Sports Illustrated. Nobody knows who will win… until viewers vote for their favourite photo spread in the series finale.
Charged with the task of whittling down the field of hopeful models is a three-judge panel, including former Sports Illustrated model Roshumba Williams, Next Model Management president Joel Wilkenfeld and Sports Illustrated swimsuit editor Jule Campbell.
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.
