GECs
FTV India to change look of IA ground staff
MUMBAI: Don’t look, it’s changing. Fashion TV India that plans to add an additional two hours of Indian programming content to the existing hours daily, will also go in for a changed look in a couple of months.
The fresh channel ID, graphics et al are all being created in house at FTV India headquarters in Mumbai. The additional hours of programming, to be created inhouse showcasing Indian fashion and lifestyle, too are slated to go on air by July.
For the first time, FTV India is also indulging in a major marketing initiative to promote its brand image among the upper crust of India’s discerning public. In an innovative tie up with the national domestic carrier Indian Airlines, FTV has offered to revamp the look of its ground staff. Three designers have been shortlisted for the task – Priya Kataria Puri of Mumbai, Deepika Govind of Bangalore and Anshu Arora Sen of Delhi. Each will create a set of four looks each. But the final selection of the designer will rest with Indian Airlines passengers who fly IA between 12 and 30 May.
Based on a catalogue of the garments (saris and an interpretation of the traditional blouse) modeled by Moushmi (better known as the Nescafe girl), passengers will vote for the most preferred look, which will then be assigned to the designer chosen. FTV has also offered 12 couple tickets to international destinations as prizes for the lucky winners among the IA passengers, says FTV India programming and creative services head Anita Horam.
Apart from established designers, the channel is also promoting itself among aspiring fashion designers. It has just announced a scholarship with Femina Girlz, wherein based on the sketches of the aspiring designers, shortlisted candidates will win scholarships to the Wigan & Leigh Institute in London. An amount of Rs 50 lakh ( Rs five million) has been set aside for the same.
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.
