iWorld
Zee5 bolsters reach with Connect Broadband partnership
KOLKATA: The last few months have changed the way the world functions. Consumers are now looking at entertainment beyond the traditional DTH and cable TV. Since the pandemic, Zee5 has seen over 3X growth in its consumers. To enable easy access to OTT entertainment content, Zee5 has been working very closely with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country. The streaming platform’s latest partnership is with Connect Broadband, one of the largest ISPs of Punjab.
Consumers today are demanding more options and value from their internet service providers. Through the alliance with Zee5, Connect Broadband will enable easy access to the platform to its consumers via simple add to bill instructions.
To get access to Zee5’s premium content, movies, and live channels, Connect broadband consumers need to validate their registered mobile number via OTP either on Connect BB website or via Connect BB mobile application.
Zee5 offers over 100+ originals across genres, apart from a vast library which has over 1.25 lakh hours of content across 12 languages that include popular TV shows and blockbuster movies spanning various genres and formats.
Zee5 India SVOD SVP and head Rahul Maroli said, “In a connected world, the role of ISPs is critical to connect the household to the world. The past few months have seen an increased demand for broadband internet as people turn to the internet for work, entertainment, and communication. The strategic alliance with Connect Broadband enables us to provide our bespoke entertainment experience to an even wider audience. With consumers now looking at digital platforms to fulfil their entertainment requirements, we wanted to ensure that consumers get a seamless experience with the best of content to choose from. The alliance will leverage Connect broadband’s reach and Zee5’s content and technology to deliver seamless entertainment to the entire Punjab region.”
Connect Broadband spokesperson said, “With massive surge in consumption of digital content Connect Broadband makes it simpler for customers to access rich content from Zee5 without having to worry about data. During such unprecedented times, we urge all the citizens to stay home and stay calm, while we continue to serve the best of entertainment content across languages, genres, and a spectrum of devices. Our partnership with Zee5 enables us to maximise our reach by appealing to a massive content for Connect Broadband consumers. With this proposition, we are enhancing our relationship and reach with our customers.”
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
