GECs
Convert DD regional channels into 24-hour channels in Hindi belt: Prasar Bharati
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati is in favour of converting some of Doordarshan’s regional channels in the Hindi belt into round-the-clock cable and satellite channels.
These include Chandigarh, Dehradun, Shimla, Ranchi, Hussar, Raipur, and Jammu regional channels. At present, some of these channels are put on the terrestrial network for around four hours when DD National goes off the National Network. At such times, Delhi’s Doordarshan Kendra transmits its programmes terrestrially.
Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar said at a meeting of the Prasar Bharati Board yesterday that an optimisation committee would study the various aspects related to carrying out of this transition. “The board has given in-principle approval to the scaling up of these channels,” an official said.
Sircar said turning them into round-the- clock channels would not require much of additional resources.
The Board is also in favour of monetising the excess land available around fifty radio transmitters all over the country that are not being adequately used to generate revenues for Prasar Bharati. (It is understood that the Government has earlier opposed this on the ground that this was public property and also for security reasons.) Prasar Bharati feels this land can be given out to public sector companies or banks as this will not compromise the security aspects.
Speaking at a World Radio Day function organised by the News Services Division of AIR, Sircar had said yesterday that even the Parliamentary Standing Committee had favoured monetisation of this land.
The Board also recommended that Doordarshan towers could be utilised all over the country to carry FM radio transmission to strengthen the FM network.
Earlier Prasar Bharati had turned four Doordarshan channels from part-time to round-the-clock channels in the Hindi heartland states of Bihar, UP, MP and Rajasthan.
Officials said the Board also favoured putting the historical speeches of national leaders in Prasar Bharati’s archives on the internet.
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.
