GECs
Bangla Music channel launched, in tie up with Saregama for videos
MUMBAI: Several Bengali language channels have recently hit the market, fighting for space in an expanding environment. The latest is Bangla Music Television, floated by UK-based SG Dastagir.
The company has tied up with Saregama India to have access to the music company’s Bengali audio library. Bangla Music will be allowed to produce exclusive videos from this library and show them on the channel. Saregama will have the rights to jointly distribute them worldwide.
“We have joined hands with Saregama to provide exclusive content for the channel. We will be able to give our viewers access to one of the largest and most exclusive Bengali music repertoires in the world,” says Dastagir.
Bangla Music has launched on the Telstra 10 (Apstar 2R) satellite on the global beam as a free to air channel covering India, Bangladesh, Middle East, Africa, Far East, Australia, Japan and a major part of China. The channel also plans to launch in UK on the BSkyB direct-to-home (DTH) platform, Europe and the US.
The company plans to invest around Rs 500 million in the first phase. In Kolkata, it is being carried on Cablecom network. But it has yet to sign up with SitiCable and Manthan, the two largest MSOs in the state.
Bangla Music will have to play catch up with Rathikant Basu-promoted Broadcast Worldwide’s Tara Muzik, a Bengali music channel which also airs telefilms. The Bengali market recently saw the launch of Star News’ Bengali sibling Star Ananda on 1 June while Sun Network is planning to launch Surjo in September.
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.
