English Entertainment
Zee Studios to produce Indian shows’ adaptation in Canada
MUMBAI: Entertaining the world for over two decades, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has achieved another milestone by becoming the first Indian broadcaster to set up a production company in Canada.
A few of the initial productions that are in the pipeline include adaptations of the smash-hit format of ZEE’s homegrown sitcom, ‘Hum Paanch’ which is being produced in its British version as ‘Lala’s Ladiez’ and an Anglo-Spanish sitcom ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ (working title) which is adapted from the ever-popular home grown format ‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain.’
ZEE Studios International marks ZEE’s entry into global production for mainstream audiences which will facilitate production requirement for ZEE’s diverse platforms as well as international markets. The production company, located at Vancouver, British Columbia, will be headed by Subhadarshi Tripathy who will be supported by a local team.
Tripathy will jointly report to ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka, and CEO – international broadcast Business Amit Goenka.
Amit Goenka said, “Canada is known as a large production hub for various Hollywood companies, as the country offers the requisite infrastructure, talent pool, scenic locales as well as a favourable Government incentive scheme. After a series of discussions with the Government of British Columbia, Canada, we were invited to set up a production company in Vancouver. Our endeavor through this venture is to produce global content for mainstream audiences across various international markets as well as take care of our domestic requirements.”
“ZEE Studios International will be headed by Subhadarshi Tripathy who has been with the organisation for over 18 years and has championed several of our leading brands,” Goenka added.
“I’m pleased to welcome Zee Studios International to British Columbia,” the premier John Horgan said. “This new production company will create jobs and opportunity for people, and showcase our province to audiences around the world. B.C. is a global leader in film and television production, and we’re pleased to see that growth continue with the addition of Zee Studios International.”
ZEE Studios International will create global content and formats for international markets in their local languages, many of which will be based on successful Indian ideas and concepts. The production company will initially focus on developing content for television and digital platforms as well as original formats and homegrown remakes, with a plan to venture into film production at a later stage.
The content developed will encompass a wide portfolio of ingenuously developed scripted and unscripted formats across an array of genres, ranging from reality, game and dance shows to shows in the fictional crime drama, sitcom, sci-fi, horror and paranormal space.
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.
