GECs
Asianet rules Malayali hearts with 64 per cent prime-time viewership share
MUMBAI: When it comes to Malayali entertainment, Asianet isn’t just leading the pack, it’s setting the rhythm of prime time itself. With a commanding 64 per cent share of urban prime-time viewership, nearly two out of every three urban Malayalis now reach for the remote only to land on Asianet. That’s not just a number, it’s a cultural footprint proof that Asianet has cracked the code of storytelling that entertains, inspires, and reflects everyday Kerala life.
Front and centre in this success story is the juggernaut that is Bigg Boss Season 7. The show alone drives 24 per cent of Asianet’s total viewership, making it the single-largest prime-time engine across Malayalam television. Compared to last season, the current edition has levelled up dramatically weekday audiences are up 14 per cent, while weekends have surged a whopping 23 per cent.
What explains this pull? A volatile mix of drama, emotional storytelling, and a cast that sparks conversations from dining tables to office chai breaks. Bigg Boss has transformed into more than a TV format, it’s a social ritual that spills into memes, reels, and debates in every Malayali Whatsapp group.
Reality may be booming, but fiction is hardly lagging behind. Asianet’s weekday line-up continues to hold families glued with stories that echo Malayali life. Chempaneer Poovu, Patharamattu, Pavithram, and Teacheramma remain household favourites, weaving tales of dilemmas, resilience and small triumphs. Meanwhile, newer entrants like Mazhathorum Munpe are steadily winning loyalty, proving Asianet has mastered the delicate balance of nostalgia and novelty.
Asianet’s power doesn’t stop at serials and reality. The channel has carved a niche with its marquee cultural specials and premieres events that feel less like programming and more like festive gatherings. The nostalgia-packed Maveli Kottaram, the adrenaline-filled star singer special event, and the much-talked-about premiere of Thudarum have created moments that transcend living rooms and bind generations together.
Since its birth in 1993, Asianet has been more than just a channel. Over 32 years, it has mirrored Malayali aspirations, frustrations, and celebrations, standing by as a cultural companion through shifting eras of broadcast and format. Today, its reach goes beyond Kerala, stretching across the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, ensuring the global Malayali diaspora feels connected to its roots.
Even as formats change and new platforms emerge, Asianet continues to feel contemporary while staying rooted in tradition. It remains the gold standard in Malayalam entertainment. a channel that’s less of a broadcaster, more of a family member.
Because in Kerala, prime time isn’t a slot, it’s Asianet time.
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.
