Movie Channels
Warner, CBS team to create fifth US broadcast network
MUMBAI: In an announcement that marks some consolidation in American television media conglomerates Warner and CBS have anounced that they will merge their networks WB and UPN into one network called The CW.
The aim is to create a fifth broadcast network that will be able to compete better with the big four -ABC, Fox, NBC and CBS.
The CW will be launched later this year and will target the 18 to 34 year demographic. The new broadcasting network will be a joint venture between Warner and CBS Corporation, with each company owning a 50 per cent stake.
In an important strategic move that secures major market distribution for The CW, it was anounced that Tribune Broadcasting and the CBS Corporation’s UPN affiliates have agreed separately to sign 10-year affiliation agreements with the new network.
The parties state that the combination of Tribune’s 16 major market stations and the 12 CBS-owned UPN major market affiliates give The CW instant coverage in 48 per cent of the US. The remainder of the network’s distribution system will be a combination of selected current UPN and The WB stations. The full distribution of the new network is expected to exceed 95 per cent of the US.
Current UPN persident Dawn Ostroff will become The CW president of entertainment. Current WB COO John Maatta becomes The CW COO. The programming lineup will include shows like WWE Smackdown! Smallville, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris and the reality show America’s Next Top Model
Media analysts says that the deal makes sense as both UPN and WB target the same audience from a programming viewpoint. Analysts are confident that in due course the CW could lead to the broadcast networks being referred to as the big Five. Of course a negative is that television production houses have one less outlet to sell shows to.
CBS Corporation president and CEO Leslie Moonves says, “This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience. It will clearly be greater than the sum of its parts, delivering excellent demographics to advertisers, and building a strong new affiliate body.”
“Additionally, The CW will be able to draw from the creative talent and production resources from the top two television production studios in the business, while also seeking programming from all sources, independent producers or other studios. With this move, we will be creating a viable entity, one well-equipped to compete, thrive and serve all our many publics in this multi-channel media universe.
“I’d like to thank Dawn Ostroff and all the
talented people at UPN who have worked so hard. For many years UPN had financial losses, but under CBS’ guidance, UPN has been able to effect a dramatic creative turnaround in a short period of time,” added Moonves.
Time Warner president and COO Jeff Bewkes says, “This is a very exciting day for Time Warner and its shareholders in the creation of what we believe will be a very strong and viable fifth broadcast television network. This new network will have all the strategic asset value as an outlet for our programming that The WB presented us, but with a much firmer and more secure financial present and future.”
Movie Channels
Laughs meet chills as ‘Jhamkudi’ hits TV screens
MUMBAI: Get ready for a hauntingly good time as Jhamkudi, the Gujarati blockbuster that cast a spell on cinema-goers, makes its world television premiere on Shemaroo Josh this 14 November at 7 PM.
Directed by Umang Vyas, the film takes viewers to the eerie village of Raniwada, where Navratri celebrations are overshadowed by the curse of a vengeful witch. Enter Bablo, a quirky real estate agent, and Kumud, a royal heir, whose fates collide in a hilarious and spooky chain of events that’s equal parts chaos and charm.
The film stars national award-winning actress Manasi Parekh, who shines once again with her trademark depth and grace, alongside Viraj Ghelani, the digital sensation whose comic timing is as sharp as ever. The stellar ensemble also includes Ojas Rawal, Sanjay Goradia, Jayesh More, Krunal Pandit, Chetan Daiya, and Bhavini Jani.
Blending goosebumps with giggles, Jhamkudi proves that even horror can have heart. With its sharp writing, witty dialogues, and a dash of desi masala, the film promises an evening of family fun that’s both thrilling and thoroughly entertaining.
So mark your calendars, grab some popcorn, and tune in to Shemaroo Josh on 14 November at 7 PM for the perfect mix of fright and delight, because this witch tale is all about wicked fun!
Movie Channels
Zee reels in record highs with a blockbuster show of movie magic
MUMBAI: In a cinematic twist worthy of its own premiere, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has pulled off a blockbuster of its own recording a three-year high share of 28.7 per cent in the Hindi movie cluster in Q2FY26. Proving that great storytelling never goes out of style, the content and technology powerhouse has reaffirmed its dominance in India’s ever-competitive movie broadcast landscape.
Leading the charge is Zee Cinema, which reclaimed its position as the No. 1 Hindi movie channel (15 plus HSM Urban) this quarter. Its line-up of premieres from the rural rumbler Jaat to the slick actioner Game Changer pulled in massive audiences. But it was Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 that truly stole the show, delivering the highest-rated movie premiere of FY26 so far. The last film to achieve a similar feat? Gadar 2, also a Zee Cinema triumph from November 2023.
Meanwhile, Zee’s Free-to-Air dynamos Anmol Cinema and Zee Action flexed their reach muscle, becoming the most-watched channels across all languages and genres. Each channel drew in more than 116 million viewers, proving that free TV still holds unbeatable sway in Indian households.
The story doesn’t end in Hindi. Zee’s regional clusters continue to script their own success stories. In Marathi, Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva, and Zee Chitramandir maintained their near-50 per cent market share, with the world television premiere of Phullwanti delivering the highest ratings of the quarter. Down south, Zee Thirai (Tamil) and Zee Cinemalu (Telugu) kept their leadership intact, while Zee Biskope in the Bhojpuri belt ranked among the top three in its market, a cinematic sweep across regions.
“The growth of our movies cluster across languages is a strong reflection of our content strategy focusing on new super-hit premieres, classic titles from our library and data-driven curation,” said a company spokesperson. “The genre’s unmatched reach and strong resonance amongst male viewers and the youth also enable it to deliver scale and strategic value to advertisers across markets.”
And those advertisers are clearly tuning in. The genre’s steady viewership and distinct audience base make Hindi movie channels a mainstay in media mixes for India’s top ten advertisers. In September 2025 alone, Zee’s 22 movie channels across six languages reached over 550 million viewers, a testament to the scale and staying power of its cinematic empire.
From Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Karan Arjun to RRR and Bobby, Zee’s vast film library continues to bridge nostalgia and novelty. Some titles have reached iconic status Hum Aapke Hain Koun, for instance, has been watched by a staggering 250 million people over the past five years, roughly equal to the population of the world’s fifth most populous country.
As Zee continues to blend data with drama and strategy with storytelling, it’s clear the brand isn’t just broadcasting films, it’s curating a cultural phenomenon. For millions of viewers across India, the show must go on and with Zee, it most certainly will
Movie Channels
Lights, camera, boo! &pictures turns full on spooky
MUMBAI: Trick or treat, but make it filmi! This Halloween, &pictures is turning up the spook-o-meter with ‘Full On Halloween’, a fun-horror movie marathon airing all day on 31 October 2025. Promising goosebumps, giggles and ghostly surprises, the channel is set to deliver a perfect mix of fright and fun.
From eerie small-town tales to supernatural showdowns, the line-up packs in something for everyone. The chills kick off at 8:45 am with Kakuda, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Riteish Deshmukh, followed by the mischievous The Bhootni at 3:15 pm, featuring Sanjay Dutt, Palak Tiwari and Mouni Roy. At 5:30 pm, Phone Bhoot dials up laughs and scares with Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi, before the visually rich folklore fantasy Tumbbad closes the night at 10:40 pm.
Adding to the fun are K3 Kaali Ka Karishma, Om Bheem Bush, and Bhaagmathi, keeping the thrills fresh and spooky spirits high. With a blend of humour, horror, and high-energy storytelling, Full On Halloween promises a day where jump scares meet joyrides.
So this 31 October, grab your popcorn and your courage, because Halloween on &pictures isn’t just on… it’s Full On!
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