GECs
Deutsche Welle keen to enter TV and FM radio sector in India
MUMBAI: After BBC, it is the turn of Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle to evince interest in India.
DW is keen to enter the television and FM radio space in India, according to a report by PTI.
“India is an important country and we are looking for partnerships here,” DW Director-General Erik Bettermann said.
DW was open to investing in the country if the right opportunities and partners came along, the report said. The company had revenues of about 300 million last year.
Bettermann, however, expressed concern over some of the restrictions on news and current affairs for foreign broadcasters. “Free press is a pre-condition for democracy. Open the sector for foreign broadcasters. It is the trend worldwide,” he said.
During his visit to Delhi, Bettermann held meetings with top officials of public broadcasters All-India Radio and DD. He welcomed the government’s decision to allow 20 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in FM radio.
DW may look for a content tie up with an Indian radio partner, offering programmes on sports, culture and lifestyle. The German network, funded by the federal government, transmits multilingual feed including in Hindi.
PTI quoted Thomas Barthlein, a senior official of DW, as saying that the broadcaster was speaking to direct-to-home (DTH) service providers Zee and Prasar Bharati for making their TV channels available on the platform.
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.
