iWorld
We are working towards a diverse content offering: Zee5’s Nimisha Pandey
KOLKATA: Zee5 has announced a partnership with TVF (The Viral Fever) as the platform looks at diversifying its library. In the last few months, ZEE’s digital arm has stepped up its content game by acquiring blockbuster Radhe and buying rights for Friends: The Reunion to stream in India.
“We have been aggressively going after a vast range of consumers, pan-India audience base, and catering to an audience of all kinds of backgrounds. That is why from Radhe to Friends, and now Sunflower, we are working towards a diverse content offering. It is the continuation of that ambition that we bring TVF onboard,” Zee5 India Hindi originals head Nimisha Pandey said.
She also added that Zee5 does not only want diverse content but wants to be the home to the country’s best storytellers. The platform is focusing on getting good content creators of the platform and the TVF partnership is one of the many to come in the future.
The latest partnership includes the launch of originals and new seasons of iconic TVF shows on its SVOD platform, along with popular cult favourites that will be accessible to all, on its AVOD platform. Thus Zee5 will have some of the key IPs on the platform which will also be available on another platform but it will have the subsequent seasons of those IPs exclusively. In addition to these subsequent seasons, Zee5 is also creating some exclusive new IPs.
“People often say that we are targeting youth with this content, I am a firm believer that it’s more about the content you like irrespective of the age group you are in. TVF content resonates with the spirit of youth. That’s the DNA we are going after,” Pandey noted.
Hence, the audience that Zee5 is targeting through the deal is not tied to not a segment per se, but to a taste cluster itself. Moreover, a huge chunk of the new audience has come on the platform thanks to a new slate of content. The platform hopes to continue to engage them with content from TVF, she added.
Zee5 has an exclusive line-up of new seasons of acclaimed TVF shows such as Pitchers Season 2, Tripling Season 3, Humorously Yours Season 3 for its subscribers. Iconic titles like Permanent Roommates, Tech Conversations with Dad, Awkward Conversations, PA-Gals, Inmates, Weekends, The Insiders, Zeroes will be accessible to all users.
“We don’t want to miss an opportunity to have a piece of content that will be loved by the audience. Even if we talk about the TVF deal, we will shoot new seasons. The partnership has not happened because we have not been able to create content. It happened because we wanted to have TVF content,” Pandey answered when asked if Zee5 is going big after the acquisition because of difficulties in shooting in the current time.
iWorld
Samay Raina confirms return of India’s Got Latent after controversy
Still Alive mixes humour and reflection as comedian revisits 2025 row
MUMBAI: Samay Raina has signalled a possible return of his controversial show India’s Got Latent, using his latest stand-up special Still Alive to address the past and hint at what lies ahead.
Released on YouTube, the special marks Raina’s most candid take yet on the backlash that forced the show off air in 2025. While much of the performance leans on humour, it also dips into more reflective territory, offering a glimpse into the emotional toll of the controversy.
Recounting the fallout, YouTube comedian samay raina said, “We were both extremely unsettled. How would we navigate this? It was terrifying. We were lost as to what was happening.” He also spoke about a moment involving fellow comedian Balraj Ghai’s family, describing it as overwhelming and difficult to process.
The personal impact of the episode came through most strongly when Raina spoke about his family. He admitted he struggled to even answer a call from his mother during the crisis. YouTube comedian samay raina said, “I hesitated to answer her call and show my tear-streaked face. How would she react? My mom is unaware of anything except how to love.”
Amid the introspection, Raina also dropped a clear hint about the future of his show. While he believes the first season ended on a high note, he confirmed that he intends to revive it. YouTube comedian samay raina said, “I will bring back the show because it used to be fun making it.”
The original run of India’s Got Latent had been pulled down following widespread criticism and legal scrutiny over controversial remarks that went viral, prompting debates around content boundaries in India’s digital entertainment space. Raina later removed episodes and issued an apology, stepping back from major releases for a period.
His return now appears more measured, blending humour with reflection and signalling a creative reset. He also hinted that the next iteration of the show could be more raw and unfiltered, though details remain under wraps.
For fans, the takeaway is simple. The show that sparked both laughter and debate may be gearing up for a second act, with Raina ready to test the limits once again, this time with a sharper sense of where the lines lie.
