GECs
ESS in 3-year deal with IHF for international match telecast
MUMBAI: Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports have signed a three year exclusive telecast deal for all international hockey matches, under the aegis of IHF, to be played in India.
Under the contract, ESS will broadcast and market ‘IHF Hockey Package’, including 102 international matches over the next 3 years. Any other hockey tournament, which the IHF launches in this period will also fall under the purview of this contract and will be telecast exclusively by the channel.
IHF has announced the tentative schedule of the teams, which will be visiting India over the year. Teams, which might visit India will include South Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Germany. ESS will telecast 102 international matches including a 5 test series against arch rival Pakistan over the next three years., an official release said.
ESPN STAR Sports will work on a comprehensive marketing plan to promote ‘IHF Hockey Package’. Leisure Sports Management (LSM), the marketing agency of IHF, has facilitated the deal between the two leading organizations.
“We are looking at growing the game’s popularity in a very systematic manner. Last year we launched PHL. This year we are taking a holistic approach to market the national team and international hockey better. The entire process of scheduling and then showcasing the hockey tournaments is being systematized. Carrying the process further, we will release the names of countries visiting India well in advance, which will help in better marketing and selling of the tournaments,” said IHF president KPS Gill.
ESPN Software India MD R C Venkateish said, “Our role in this deal will be more than mere telecasting. Besides continuing to innovate on our current hockey telecast, we will market the hockey players and the sport better. We will leverage our relationships with IHF and hockey players by integrating the discipline much more into our over all marketing programs and specific initiatives like ESPN Learning Grounds for schools, and so on.”
Tentative IHF schedule for July 2005 – June 2006
| No. | Series |
| 1 | India South Korea/Malaysia Tests |
| 2 | 4 nation double header |
| 3 | India – Spain/Germany Tests |
| 4 | India – Pakistan Tests in India |
| 5 | India – NZ/Australia Series |
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.
