GECs
AXN expands its reach to Korea
MUMBAI: Action oriented broadcaster AXN from Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI) stable will launch a dedicated, 24-hour service for Korea in July 2005.
With the launch of AXN in Korea, AXN expands its reach to more than 76 million Asian households across 23 Asian countries, including its branded daypart programming in China.
AXN is the first international general entertainment channel approved for retransmission by the Korean Broadcasting Commission. AXN will be carried in SkyLife’s MoviePlus package (Channel 333), initially reaching more than one million Korean viewers.
SPTI senior executive VP International Networks Andy Kaplan said, “Sony Pictures Television International has built an enviably successful portfolio of channels worldwide and it’s extremely gratifying to see that our strategy of launching AXN in markets where audiences looking for action adventure entertainment are underserved has resulted in such dramatic expansion. We are honoured to enter the Korean market on the SkyLife platform.”
SPTI senior VP, MD Asia Todd Miller said, “AXN’s unique programming has allowed it to grow dramatically in the past few years, and we’re confident that on the SkyLife platform, we’ll be able to serve an audience that has a proven penchant for action adventure entertainment.”
SkyLife Contents Management Team director Sung-gil Moon said, “As a leading digital satellite broadcasting company in Korea, we are very pleased to have such a high-quality channel as AXN on SkyLife, and we expect AXN to play an affirmative role in the Korean broadcasting industry.”
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.
