GECs
Sony launches ‘Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya’ as part of fresh afternoon menu
Sony Entertainment Television yesterday announced the launch of a new daily soap Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya, part of an initiative on SET’s part to repackage its programming in the afternoon band which becomes effective 4 June.
When asked about the logic behind placing a new serial in the afternoon band, Rekha Nigam, senior VP programming, says: “As we rule the weekend slots, we also want to capture the afternoon band and for that we will be providing a new bunch of programming.” Nigam made her comments at a press conference to announce the new drive in south Mumbai’s Oberoi hotel.
Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya is produced by Shobhna Desai, who has a number of popular serials like Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Alpaviram (afternoon slot on Sony) and Sony’s new prime time serial Hum Pardesi Ho Gaya, to her credit.
Kaun Apna… will be telecast at 1:30 PM and will replace the popular dance-based programme Boogie Woogie, which is being advanced to the 12 noon slot.
“Sony is specifically targeting the 12 noon to 3:00 PM time band,” Nigam says. According to Nigam, marketing research indicates that this was the peak viewing time in the afternoon band where the viewership essentially comprise housewives and school and college going kids.
The programming is also organised accordingly. Boogie Woogie‘ therefore targets all age groups but essentially looks at youngsters while the later programmes focus more and more on housewives.
Along with the Kaun Apna..., Ek Mahal Ho Sapno ka, another popular daily soap which currently airs at 10:15 PM, will air in the rescheduled afternoon band at 1:00 PM to make it more attractive for the viewers.
Reruns of recently launched prime time serials Kkusum and Kahin Diyaa Jale Kahin Jiyaa are also been scheduled for the band. However, old shows Alpaviram, Ajanabi, Aurat Ghar Ek Mandir and Itihaas will remain in their current slots between 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Alpaviram will be getting over by first week of June which will be replaced by Chhoti Si Asha
“We will be pushing the afternoon band. The packaging and promos will be specially done through newspapers, hoardings and on the channel,” says Nigam. She refused to give details on the budget Sony had set aside for the promotion.
Nigam would not be drawn into a debate on ratings. “We will be providing completely fresh entertainment and we will be pitching hard, so I am confident that we will grab the afternoon band also. As far as TRPs go, I dont believe in it, in the sense that our priority is to try and identify the concept which strikes a chord with viewers. The soul of any programme is the concept and TRPs follow that. So it is too early to talk about that.
As far as advertising goes, the rates per 10 second slot for Kaun Apna … and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno ka has been kept at Rs 80,000 and for other shows has been kept at Rs 60,000.
The new Schedule for Afternoon band from 12:00 to 3:00 on Sony.
| Time | Name of the show |
| 12:00 | Boogie Woogie |
| 12:30 | Kahi Diyaa Jale Kahi Jiyaa |
| 1:00 | Ek Mahal Ho Sapno ka |
| 1:30 | Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya |
| 2:00 | Kkusum |
| 2:30 | Ghar Ek Mandir |
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.
