GECs
Chandra calls for liberal programming code
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra echoed Star TV CEO Michelle Guthrie’s sentiments when he too stressed that addressability will come about in India, but only through market forces.
Chandra, in his address at the valedictory session of Frames 2004, asked for a liberal programming code for channels, while also urging copyright protection laws. Chandra said his estimates for the media and entertainment sector in India are close to Rs 20,000 crore, a figure that differs substantially from the figure put out by the Ernst and Young report put out by Ficci on the first day of the convention. An additional Rs 20,000 crore will flow in if piracy is curbed, he said.
“Today television is the fourth necessity in this country after roti, kapda and makaan (food, clothing and shelter),” Chandra said. It is the unregulated nature of this industry that has taken the industry thus far, he said. The situation in India is quite different from the US, where the industry is far more tightly controlled that normally assumed.
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.
