GECs
Essel Group set to launch interactive gaming channel PlayTV
MUMBAI: Essel Group is launching an interactive and gaming channel PlayTV, the first in the country.
Aiming at a mid-March launch, the channel will telecast games, contests, music, movies, entertainment and lifestyle content. Essel Group director Amit Goenka will head the channel.
PlayTV is being planned with an eye on India’s growing gaming industry. Globally, gaming as an industry stands at $30 billion.
Announcing the launch, Goenka said, “In Asia, PlayTV is a new concept. Globally gaming with a dash of entertainment and lifestyle is a huge market. It is one of the fastest growing TV segment with active viewers involvement and retention. Viewers across the world watch television not only for entertainment but also to draw some tangible benefit from the programme. PlayTV is not restricted to age, gender, skill and competency.”
Along with the regular entertainment content like movies, music and reality shows, PlayTV will provide gaming news, contests, bidding and shopping. The channel will be run on real time basis through SMS, emails and chats.
“We will be telecasting movies, music shows and lifestyle shows as fillers throughout. Contests will be played while shows are running in the background. The gaming shows will be produced in-house,” said Goenka.
When queried if Essel Group’s online lottery Playwin will be incorporated in the channel, Goenka answered in the negative. “Playwin will be there just as an advertiser,” he clarified.
Commenting on the opportunity PlayTV will provide to the corporate sector Goenka added, “Play TV will give opportunity for marketers for interactive advertising and create innovative platform for their target audiences.”
PlayTV will be supported by technology from Cellcast, a UK based company. Cellcast will help PlayTV to set up TV SMS technology and also training and developing personnel in India. Cellcast manages complex communications technologies to deliver and bill for digital entertainment, information and services, to consumers across the globe, informs a company release.
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.
