GECs
Bullish Zee Smile(s) unveils shows, campaigns
MUMBAI: Presently, Zee Smile is sporting a grin. What has buoyed the fun and entertainment channel is some good news on the ratings front. The channel claims that its GRPs went as high as 44 in the first half of May.
Almost after a year of its launch, Zee Smile feels time is ripe to create some buzz with new shows and marketing initiatives now that connectivity issues have been sorted out.
According to Zee Smile business head Nitin Vaidya, “Connectivity issues are Zee Smile’s past, while new shows are the channel’s present. We are trying to make the future brighter.”
Whats more, Vaidya stresses on the channel’s positioning as a mass general entertainment channel. “We are getting more aggressive. This is not just a comedy channel anymore as Zee Smile is competing with mass general entertainment channels, he adds.
Apart from comedy soaps, Zee Smile will air game shows as well in a bid to entertain people in a positive way, minus tear-jerkers and other tensions that abound in serials on other channels.
That the time has come for Zee Smile to have some serious fun is apparent from what Zee Telefilms CEO Pradeep Guha told Indiantelevision.com last month. “Because of some connectivity issues, the channel wasn’t properly marketed. Since it has now scored something like 44 GRPs, we decided to end our silence and launch marketing initiatives,” he had said.
The marketing initiatives launched have taken care of the channel’s positioning as a feel-good channel for the fun-loving crowd.
The channel formed marketing tie-ups with Barista, which is essentially a youth hangout, and retail outlet major Big Bazaar to boost visibility. Colleges too are being targeted for on-ground events. The channel has also started advertising in theatres now.
Zee Smile kicked off its promotional campaign in early May. The first phase of the campaign projected Smile TV as various products such as pain reliever, beauty cream and energy drinks.
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The attempt was to position the channel as an alternative that can get rid of worries. The channel is being cross promoted on the network as well. Smile has also produced two brand films which are currently running across the network.
The second phase of the campaign relies mainly on the new launches. Within two months, the complete FPC of Zee Smile will undergo a change. The primetime line up will have fresh shows.
After acquiring popular Doordarshan shows, including Nukkad, Wagle ki Duniya and Wilayatee Babu, on board in April, the channel launched three new programmes in May. The channel will be launching three shows in each month of June and July.
Some of the shows Zee Smile recently launched include Fifty-Fifty, Home Sweet Home and Bechara Big B. An important property coming from the channel in June is the Ravi Rai-directed soap Haste Haste Kat Jaye Raaste.
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.
