GECs
GRB Entertainment creates GRB Worldwide, appoints Gavin Reardon president
MUMBAI: Non-fiction reality producers GRB Entertainment (“Growing up Gotti”, “Intervention”, “Invasion Iowa”), has announced it will be spinning off its existing international distribution division and transforming it into an entirely new venture to be known as GRB Worldwide.
This new entity, which will officially launch at this year’s MIP, will focus on the financing, creation, and acquisition of both fiction and non-fiction programming for global distribution. The company will be headed by Gavin Reardon, who has been promoted to president of GRB Worldwide from his current position as senior vice-president, international distribution, for GRB Entertainment, a post he has held for the past five years.
Reardon will report to Gary Benz, president and CEO of GRB Entertainment and will continue to be based in Los Angeles. The announcement was made yesterday by Benz.
While GRB Entertainment currently specializes in reality, docu-drama, and docu-soap programming, GRB Worldwide will concentrate its efforts on expansion into other genres of both non-fiction and fiction programming domestically and internationally. In addition, Reardon plans to work closely with outside producers developing strategic co-production and acquisition partnerships.
Given GRB Worldwide’s aggressive stance, they expect to deliver 60 hours of fiction programming, from television series to telefilms, by the end of the first year.
“With eight series on the air and several pilots in production for U.S. broadcasters through GRB Entertainment, we have decided to create and launch GRB Worldwide to better serve the global marketplace and to take advantage of opportunities for fiction programming,” commented Benz.
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.
