iWorld
Amazon Freevee unveils new slate of originals
Mumbai: During the Amazon presentation at NewFronts in New York City, streaming service platform Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) announced an increased slate of originals, with multiple pickups of scripted and unscripted content.
The free streaming service greenlit a new cooking competition series called “America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation,” the coming-of-age drama “Beyond Black Beauty,” the family competition series “Play-Doh Squished” and the music documentary “Post Malone: Runaway.” Freevee also picked up a second season of “Bosch: Legacy” and a third and fourth season of Uninterrupted’s “Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers.”
Additionally, Amazon Freevee has secured a short-term film licensing agreement with Disney Media And Entertainment Distribution for a limited selection of titles such as “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2,” “Logan,” “Hidden Figures,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and “The Post” which will be available to customers on the free streaming service. This news follows the previously announced Freevee deal with NBCU for an exclusive network window for films from Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s 2020-21 theatrical slate, including titles such as “Dolittle,” “The Invisible Man,” “Promising Young Woman,” “F9,” and “Sing 2.”
Amazon Freevee also announced that it has increased its free ad-supported TV (Fast) offering to more than 75 channels, including exclusive linear channels for the Canadian sitcom “Kim’s Convenience,” as well as the original “The Kids in the Hall” comedy series. In addition to these exclusive channels, Fast programming on Freevee includes curated, thematically programmed channels, such as popular movies and TV shows, comedy shows, and animated shows; Freevee and Prime Video Originals channels, such as Judy Justice and Bosch; and syndicated channels with several distribution partners, including A&E, BBC, and Scripps, featuring an array of genres and with content selection based on customers’ wide variety of interests.
“By developing and programming inspired, fan-favorite Original series and movies – produced and delivered by Amazon Studios in partnership with some of the industry’s best creators and studio partners – and by securing exclusive, highly sought licensed content, we have built a destination where viewers know they can discover and enjoy something new, or indulge in something they already love,” said Amazon Freevee co-heads of content and programming Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi. “We’ve also built a home for talent where their ideas will be nurtured and brought to life, and are building a brand where advertisers know they will find popular, compelling programming. Today’s announcements about our upcoming slate showcase our continued commitment to delivering customers the premium content they crave – always free of charge.”
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
