GECs
Star Utsav snatches crown from Dangal in FTA showdown
MUMBAI: Star Utsav has stormed back into the Free-to-Air (FTA) arena, snatching the No. 1 spot from long-time leader Dangal and catapulting itself to fourth place overall across the Hindi-speaking market, both pay and FTA, in urban and rural India.
Having rejoined DD Free Dish on 1 April, Star Utsav wasted no time making its presence felt—reaching 111 million viewers within just 11 days of its comeback. The channel says it managed to get 102 GRPs against Dangal’s 97 in BARC week 14 HSM U+R.
With heavy-hitters like RadhaKrishn, Rabba Ve, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, the channel seems to have found its old rhythm and then some.
“Star Utsav has risen to become the new no1 FTA channel, ushering in a transformative era in Hindi entertainment. This is just the beginning of a revolution in FTA television, reshaping India’s viewing habits for the future,” said the network’s advertising sales team in a post on Linkedin.
The timing couldn’t be better. With rising data costs, patchy rural internet, and pricey pay-TV packs, FTA TV is looking more attractive than ever. Add to that a boom in electrification and cheaper TV sets, and it’s a recipe for ratings gold.
The return of legacy FTA giants—Star Utsav, Sony Pal, Colors Rishtey and Zee Anmol—has breathed new life into DD Free Dish, Prasar Bharati’s free DTH service. As per the FICCI-EY report, FTA homes are set to rise from 49 million in 2024 to 57 million by 2030. And with ad revenues already north of Rs 2,000 crore, there’s more than just eyeballs at stake.
Star Utsav’s re-entry has shaken up the pecking order—and with more homes plugging in every year, the FTA slugfest has only just begun.
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.
