English Entertainment
Variety hits the right note with launch of Variety India this November
MUMBAI: Call it a blockbuster plot twist: Variety, the world’s number one entertainment news brand, is setting the stage for its India debut. Teaming up with Thursday Tales Publishing Pvt Ltd (TTPPL), helmed by industry veterans Sarita A. Tanwar and Gautam Thakker, Variety India is all set to roll out this November.
For over 120 years, Variety has been the vital read across Hollywood and beyond, covering film, TV, theatre, streaming, and pop culture in more than 84 countries. Now, with India’s film and entertainment industry booming, the brand is bringing its trusted voice to one of the world’s most dynamic storytelling hubs.
“India is one of the world’s largest markets for movies, television and digital media. The launch of Variety India will add great depth and dimension to our global coverage,” said Variety, Co-Editors-in-Chief, Cynthia Little and Ramin Setoodeh.
The new edition will debut in English, with plans to expand into regional languages soon. At the helm is Sarita A. Tanwar, acclaimed editor with stints at Mid-Day, Bombay Times, and DNA. “To bring Variety to India is not just a strategic decision, it’s a passionate one,” she said. “This brand has always been my go-to for Hollywood news, and India deserves a voice just as reliable.”
Adding to this, EveryMedia Technologies, TTPPL, ceo-founder, Gautam B. Thakker, called it “a timely opportunity,” noting that the move would connect India’s creative pulse to the global stage.
With Variety India headquartered in Mumbai, the publication promises to amplify the country’s diverse entertainment voices while plugging directly into the international conversation.
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.
