GECs
Star exits from Radio City’s airtime sales
MUMBAI: This is as clear a signal as any that television is going to be Star’s core business focus in India.
The country’s biggest television network in terms of revenue has ceased doing air time sales for Radio City, which runs on 91 FM and is operational in Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow and Bangalore.
In fact, Radio City is the sole operator in the latter two cities even after claiming earlier that it was planning to shut down service in Lucknow, which is the constituency of former prime minister Atal B. Vajpayee.
In May 2005, Star had discontinued its arrangement of supplying content to Music Broadcast Private Ltd (MBPL), the radio FM licence holder, after venture capital fund GW Capital Pvt Ltd acquired a controlling stake in MBPL for approximately Rs. 300 million.
Still, as per an understanding, Star continued to handle advertising, sales and marketing for the FM channel across the country. Now, India’s leading television broadcaster has exited from this arena as well. A senior executive at Radio City confirmed the development.
MBPL had, since the inception of Radio City earlier this decade, contracted Star to provide its expertise in the areas of programming, ad sales and marketing.
The operations were handled through DigiWave, a 50:50 joint venture between Star and the PK Mittal-promoted Ispat group. Sumantra Dutta, a senior Star India employee, headed the radio operations till GW Capitals takeover.
The development on the ad sales front has come about after Radio Citys new CEO Apurva Purohit settled down in her job having joined the radio network in July this year.
Before coming to Radio City, Purohit, an advertising professional, had done stints at The Times of India groups Zoom TV and Zee Telefilms flagship channel Zee TV, holding senior positions at both the places.
After Purohits arrival, Radio City roped in Ashit Kukian as the national head of corporate sales.
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.
