GECs
AOL may sell Comedy Central to Viacom
NEW YORK: AOL Time Warner Inc may sell its 50 per cent stake in cable network Comedy Central for about $1.2 billion to joint venture partner Viacom Inc, according to a Reuters report.
The deal could be announced early next week, when Viacom is scheduled to report its earnings. Comedy Central, which airs shows like bawdy, animated South Park and the nightly satirical newscast The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, has thrived financially for the competing media titans.
While neither company has commented on the deal, it is likely to be the first asset sale by AOL Time Warner as executives try to revive growth at the world’s largest media company and to restore investor credibility by cutting its approximate $29 billion in total debt, the report says.
As part of those efforts, the company had been exploring the sale of its stakes in Comedy Central and CourtTV, which it owns with Liberty Media Corp, its book publishing division, its three Atlanta sports teams and parts of its music business.
Comedy Central, which reaches 82 million US homes, was launched on April Fool’s Day 1991 after Home Box Office, owned by AOL Time Warner, merged its Comedy Channel with MTV Networks’ HA! comedy network, owned by Viacom. The network, one of the few examples of a successful media joint venture, has gained a reputation for continuing to push the limits of what can be broadcast on TV with sharp political satire and increasingly popular gross-out humour.
It has humorously covered political events and introduced original shows, such as “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and “Politically Incorrect,” each of which garnered Emmy Award nominations and eventually landed on other networks.
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.
