English Entertainment
Star World brings the brand new season of ‘MasterChef Australia’
MUMBAI: Star World and Star World HD, is all set to up the ante this summer, offering viewers a culinary extravaganza with the brand new season of MasterChef Australia. The most loved culinary show in the world returns with its 8 season and, for the first time ever, will air right after its international telecast exclusively on Star World and Star World HD from 9 May onwards, Mon-Fri at 9 PM.
Over the years, MasterChef Australia has not only entertained audiences with beautiful food and compelling stories but has also inspired and exposed hundreds of Indians to a food revolution. Today, home cooks are motivated to pursue their food dreams and people, in general, are more open to experimenting with gourmet food and terminologies in their daily lives. Gourmet words have now become an everyday parlance and stemming from this consumer insight, Star World has created a 360 degree marketing campaign based on the proposition Everyone is Speaking Gourmet with MasterChef Australia. This proposition will be carried across all platforms of the campaign including on-air, outdoor, print, digital and cinema.
Star World and Star World HD kick-started the campaign with on-air promotions created locally to bring out the gourmet connect with Indian audiences. The channels will also create engaging content elements around the new season like #SpeakGourmet that will comprise of short promos on the A-Z of food terminologies. Being a flagship property for Star World, the show will be heavily promoted across the Star Network.
Celebrated food writer and MasterChef Australia judge Matt Preston said, “MasterChef Australia has created food connoisseurs over the world. To know that MasterChef Australia has encouraged and motivated viewers across the world to not only cook better but also live better is a huge testimony to its popularity. Having visited India multiple times, I am elated and humbled at how popular the show and we are with fans. Here’s to another scintillating and inspiring season!”
Talking about the upcoming season, renowned chef and MasterChef Australia judge Gary Mehigan said, “I’m extremely proud to be associated with a show like MasterChef Australia that, over the years, has become one of the best apprenticeships offered across the world. I am aware of the huge fan following the show enjoys in India and I’m hoping we can inspire even more home cooks in India with the new season.”
Chef and judge George Calombaris known for his catchy phrases added, “MasterChef Australia is back with a new season that is ready to push more boundaries with never-seen-before food and talent. We are excited to see the level of creativity and skill that the new contestants bring to the table under the tutelage of our esteemed mentors this year. We are ready to boom-boom shake the room!”
Speaking on the occasion, a Star spokesperson said, “MasterChef Australia is one of the most iconic brands in the world of food and television across the world. Over the years, Star World has become home to MasterChef Australia in India. The show has changed the way food is perceived in our country and the audience has come to love the concept and the judges. We are eagerly awaiting the new season and are certain audiences will be captivated by the contestants, food, judges and mentors. This year, we have also gone one step further by offering the latest season right after its international airing exclusively on Star World and Star World HD.”
Winner of the Logie Award, MasterChef Australia follows the journey of ordinary home-cooks as they showcase their extraordinary cooking ability. This year, the new season returns not only with beloved judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston but also with chefs extraordinaire Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and Nigella Lawson.
MasterChef Australia season 8 is powered by Usha Coldpress Juicers and Indiagate Basmati Rice, partnered by Cornitos with associate sponsors Nivea Protect & Care, Ola MICRO, Gillette Venus and Kohler.
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.
