GECs
AOL launches interactive news experience
MUMBAI: Interactive services company America Online has announced the launch of a new AOL News experience. The enhanced online news service delivers best-of-breed content, resources and top personalities on-demand, 24*7 while actively involving members in the news process.
As part of the launch, AOL has expanded and signed agreements with some of the world’s most trusted news sources, including usatoday.com and nytimes.com which will enable AOL members to receive premium, comprehensive news coverage.
Consistently ranked by comScore Media Metrix as the number one online news destination with 24.1 million unique visitors per month, AOL News offers an “involvement journalism” experience, bringing members the complete news on their terms and engaging them in the story through a wide range of multimedia offerings.
An official release informs that using the power of the on-demand news environment, members can read newspaper and magazine stories, watch TV footage, listen to audio clips and view photos-all from one convenient source and at no additional charge. The new AOL News format also enables members to access the day’s top stories via the AOL.com site when they are away from home. With AOL News, members, not editors, pick the medium and decide how and when they consume the news.
To complement the member’s personalized news experience, AOL News offers multiple opportunities for members to join in the larger news debates and connect with other members through polls, message boards, chatrooms and AOL Journals (blogs), creating a more enhanced, shared experience. Members can also connect with eyewitnesses, newsmakers and news correspondents who offer additional analysis and unique perspectives.
To give an example, AOL members can currently enjoy exclusive video interviews by George Stephanopoulos, anchor of ABC News’ Sunday morning programme This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos also answers members’ questions about major news events and key political issues.
Other AOL partners include ABC News, The Associated Press, CNN, Reuters, Time, Fortune and Sports Illustrated. Through relationships with People and Entertainment Weekly, AOL News also features marquee entertainment specials as well as weekly cover stories. Along with its CNN News Ticker, CNN provides AOL News with custom interactive features such as galleries and timelines, as well as video content from CNN NewsPass, including 90 Second Pop and nightly clips from Anderson Cooper 360 degrees.
To complement the premium news content, compelling interactive features such as online opinion surveys and discussion areas are embedded alongside the stories so members can react and interact with one another with just one click. A feature What America Thinks measures what Americans are thinking about and how they are responding to top news stories. AOL News also monitors the pulse of America by engaging people of different ages, genders, backgrounds and viewpoints through related message boards, polls and shout-out areas.
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.
