GECs
Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century fox leads to employee layoffs: Report
MUMBAI: Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox has again led to more employee layoffs. Disney has laid off nearly 60 employees within its media distribution division, according to a Variety report.
Fox TV Distribution worldwide marketing executive vice president Greg Drebin and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment worldwide marketing and strategy senior vice president Jennifer Chai are being counted among the affected ones. Drebin was promoted from SVP to EVP of Worldwide Marketing last year.
A few days after Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition of Fox’s entertainment and studio assets was completed, 20th Century Fox TV distribution president Mark Kaner was let go. After the closure of the deal, the distribution department was hit by the first round of layoffs.
Earlier in August, another round of layoffs was executed where a large number of employees have been let go from both sides. Visual effects head John Kilkenny, feature production executive VP Fred Baron, physical production executive VP Dana Belcastro and post-production executive VP Fred Chandler are among the executives who have received pink slips on the Fox side.
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.
