Indian streamer Zee5 announces US rollout

Indian streamer Zee5 is to launch in the US later this month, offering more than 130,000 hours of programming to subscribers.

The service, which is currently in beta mode in the country and will formally launch 22 June, will offer exclusive Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi entertainment shows, including its originals.

More than 1,600 TV series will be available including Kundali Bhagya, Mithai (Bangla), Sembaruti (Tamil) and the multi-lanigauge Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, while there will also be over 200 originals, such as The Final Call, Kaafir and Mentalhood.

Music, food and lifestyle shows will also be offered, with 100 hours of new content being added daily, Zee said. A library offering will also be available, providing access to shows from the last 20 years, while Bollywood and Indian-language films are also on the slate.

The streamer is already available around the world, but execs are aiming to tap into the 5.4 million diaspora audience with the US expansion.

“The US represents our most significant market and the last bastion in our global journey as we launch an ad-free subscription service,” said Amit Goenka, president of digital businesses & platforms at ZEE Entertainment.

Archana Anand, chief business officer at ZEE5 Global, added: “These stories have the power to engage deeply and go well beyond the South Asian audience to entertain and delight even mainstream audiences with their authenticity and allure.”

Zee5 will be available across devices and costs US$84 for a year, with a launch offer price of US$49.99.