GECs
Endemol expands presence with acquisition
MUMBAI: Global television format creator and distributor Endemol will acquire a 51 per cent stake in Germ, an interactive television format firm Callactive.
It has also launched a new participation TV show in the US. The transaction in Germany is subject to the approval of the German anti-trust authorities. Endemol has options to further increase its stake in the future.
Callactive specialises in call TV interactive television formats in Germany and Switzerland. Its customers include Viva Plus (Germany). Callactive is located in Munich and will serve as Endemol’s call TV platform for German speaking countries/areas. Callactive will continue to operate under the same name, headed by its current MD Stephan Mayerbacher.
Meanwhile in the US, Endemol has launched a live participation TV show called Midnight Money Madness. The two-hour show went to air two weeks ago. This is the first time Endemol has brought its interactive television experience to viewers in the US.
Endemol digital media director Job van Wagensveld says, “With the acquisition of 51 per cent of Callactive in Germany and the launch of Midnight Money Madness in the United States we are adding two important new territories to our participation TV activities. We are now operating successfully world wide in over 25 countries with more to come. We are very pleased with these developments and expect to grow our leading position in this business further in the coming years.”
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.
