GECs
Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network board walks out
MUMBAI: The entire board of Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network (SABTNL) resigned en masse today, casualties of a corporate takeover that swept through the Mumbai-listed broadcaster. Grow House Wealth Management, acting for Kurjibhai Premjibhai Rupareliya and Leading Leasing Finance and Investment Company, is allegedly behind the coup.
Six directors—from the chairman down—tendered their resignations within hours of each other, citing a change in management and control triggered by an open offer under India’s takeover regulations. The exodus marks a clean break between the company’s old guard and the new regime moving in.
Leading the charge out the door were Ravi Gautam Adhikari, chairman and non-executive director, and Kailasnath Markand Adhikari, managing director. Three independent directors—Pritesh Rajgor, Ganesh Prasad Raut and Umakanth Bhyravajoshyulu—followed suit, along with non-executive director Latasha Laxman Jadhav.
All six cited the same reason in near-identical letters: the change in control pursuant to an open offer under regulations 3(1) and 4 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s substantial acquisition and takeover rules. Each confirmed there were no other material reasons for jumping ship.
Last month Grow House Wealth Management launched an open offer to acquire up to 53,46,238 equity shares—representing 13.24 per cent of SABTNL’s emerging voting share capital. The synchronised departures leave the company scrambling to reconstitute its board and comply with listing requirements.
For investors, the question now is what Rupareliya and Leading Leasing Finance plan to do with their new prize. The old regime knew when to make a graceful exit. The new one has rather larger shoes to fill—and a broadcasting empire to run.
(Updated on 21 November at 22 hours)
MUMBAI: The entire board of Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network has resigned en masse, casualties of a corporate takeover that swept through the Mumbai-listed broadcaster today.
Six directors—from the chairman down—tendered their resignations within hours of each other, citing a change in management and control triggered by an open offer under India’s takeover regulations. The exodus marks a clean break between the company’s old guard and whoever is taking the reins.
Leading the charge out the door were Ravi Gautam Adhikari, chairman and non-executive director, and Kailasnath Markand Adhikari, managing director. Three independent directors—Pritesh Rajgor, Dr Ganesh Prasad Raut and Umakanth Bhyravajoshyulu—followed suit, along with non-executive director Latasha Laxman Jadhav.
All six cited the same reason in near-identical letters: the change in control pursuant to an open offer under regulations 3(1) and 4 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s substantial acquisition and takeover rules. Each confirmed there were no other material reasons for jumping ship.
The synchronised departures leave the company scrambling to reconstitute its board and comply with listing requirements. For investors, the question now is who is taking control—and what they plan to do with their new prize.
The old regime, at least, knew when to make a graceful exit. The new one will have rather larger shoes to fill.
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.
