Rumour: ZEE UK to launch Pak channel Zindagi?

ZEE Network, which has phased out ZEE ETC Punjabi in India to make way for Pakistani entertainment channel, Zindagi, is rumoured to be planning the service in the UK also.

The Pakistani TV market has become lucrative with channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, Geo UK and Prime TV proving hugely successful with UK viewers. Indian broadcasters like ZEE TV, Lamhe, Colors and Rishtey have also jumped on the bandwagon by telecasting Urdu shows. Shows such as ‘Humsafar’, ‘Maat’, ‘Gohar-E-Nayab’ and ‘Aunn Zara’ have proved a success in official ratings.

ZEE Network is going one stop further with sources suggesting that it is planning to launch a full fledged Pakistani entertainment channel, Zindagi as soon as this summer. Industry sources have indicated that ZEE wants to bring a Pakistani channel to compete with Hum TV, which only recently launched in the UK.

In the UK, ZEE Network already has a “spare” EPG slot on the Sky Digital platform with ZEE News being used as a placeholder until an official launch. There have also been talks of launching ZEE Network’s Veria Living channel. However, commercially, a channel like Zindagi may work in ZEE Network’s favour.

Let’s wait and watch to see what ZEE Network has in store to expand its growth in the UK/Europe market.