GECs
Sony Pictures pushing licensing in Korea
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) announced that it is expanding its operations in Asia by opening a TV licensing office in Korea. Soojin Chung has been appointed as executive director of licensing and will head SPTI’s office in Seoul. She reports to SPTI senior vice president, distribution, Asia Ross Pollack.
“Opening a licensing office in Korea demonstrates our continued efforts to better serve our Korean clients and to offer more choices to our customers throughout Asia where SPTI already has numerous commitments,” said Pollack. “We are delighted to have Soojin join our team. Her experience and impressive track record as a TV executive is widely recognized in the Korean marketplace. She will be a great fit with the rest of our Asian team based in Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing.”
In her new position, Chung is responsible for the licensing of SPTI’s series and features, along with the Company’s growing lineup of successful international productions, to traditional and new media partners in Korea. In addition, she will provide support to SPTI’s Asian product acquisition efforts by assisting in the ongoing evaluation of, investment in and distribution of Korean content for SPTI in Asia and worldwide. SPTI currently has a Korean TV drama distribution deal with CJ Media in addition to distributing select movie titles from CJ and Korean anime from other partners.
Chung joins SPTI from Buena Vista International Television where she was head of sales for Korea since 2004. Prior to Buena Vista, she held a number of positions in Korea, including content acquisition manager at SBS Productions and acquisition manager at Hollyvision Saehan Media.
SPTI has been active in distributing Asian entertainment worldwide. Two of the highest grossing Asian movies of all-time Kung Fu Hustle and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon were distributed through SPTI. SPTI’s office in Seoul will be located in the Kyobo Tower and opens in February 2007.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
