GECs
ETC Punjabi claims 100% share during ‘Aayi Baisakhi’ telecast
MUMBAI: ETC Punjabi claims to have emerged the most popular channel in Punjab. The channel claims to have garnered a channel share larger than that of popular national channels like Star Plus during ‘live’ telecast of recently held events.
According to a press release, ETC Punjabi created a history of sorts on 6 April 2003. During the ‘live’ telecast of the mega event Aayi Baisakhi, ETC Punjabi garnered 100 per cent channel share among all Punjabi language channels in C&S homes, four plus and 15+ABC (source: TAM India). The releases adds that the channel had a viewership even larger than national channels during the telecast.
On 6 April 2003, while ETC Punjabi had a channel share of 28 per cent across all channels in Punjab, a national channel like Star Gold could only manage 19 per cent; says the release.
Star Gold was followed by Zee TV and Sony, each with eight per cent channel share. The release adds that Star Plus was fourth along with Zee Cinema with seven per cent channel share during the duration of the telecast.
The release quotes ETC Punjabi president Rabindra Narayan as saying: “This is probably the first time in the history of regional television in the north that a regional channel has beaten popular national channels in its market in the race for eyeballs.”
ETC Punjabi has long maintained its position as the most popular channel in the Punjab, claims the channel. According to latest TAM data for viewership in the Punjab, the channel has a 67 per cent channel share among Punjabi channels – C&S homes, four plus and 15+ABC (TAM).
ETC Punjabi VP (programming) Rajiee M Shinde was quoted as saying: “It is through ‘live’ broadcasting of events, ETC Channel Punjabi has propelled itself into the big league amidst competition with the big boys like Star Plus and Sony.”
ETC Networks Ltd CEO Jagjit Singh Kohli has been quoted as saying: “We are perhaps the only channel which airs six hours ‘live’ everyday from one fixed location, which is Gurbani straight from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.”
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.
