GECs
Anuj Gandhi named SET Discovery president
MUMBAI: It’s now official. Anuj Gandhi, senior V-P sales and marketing, has replaced Shantonu Aditya as president of SET Discovery.
Confirming a development first put out by indiantelevision.com, an internal communiqué went out today at the Sony headquarters in Mumbai’s western suburb of Andheri that Gandhi would now be leading the distribution team at Sony.
The distribution joint venture company between SET India and Discovery Communications India was formed in 2002. SET Discovery expanded its bouquet and currently distributes not only the Sony and Discovery group of channels but also MTV, Nick, Animax, Ten Sports, Sab TV, NDTV 24×7, NDTV India and NDTV Profit.
Meanwhile Aditya, who quit the company last week, takes charge as chief executive officer of Sahara India Entertainment Management Co Ltd (SIEMCL) tomorrow (16 June), industry sources have confirmed. It needs noting here that as per earlier indications, Aditya was expected to join Sahara on 1 July.
Before his stint as the number two in the SET Discovery JV, Gandhi was heading distribution at Discovery Communications India. Gandhi joined Discovery after a stint at the Hinduja Group MSO InCableNet. Prior to that he worked for the pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy.
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.
