GECs
Gil Cates to produce Oscar telecast for 12th time
MUMBAI: Gilbert Cates has his 12th assignment as producer of the biggest movie awards show the 77th annual Academy Awards.
The announcement was made by Academy President Frank Pierson.. .
The show will air on 27 February 2005 in the US on ABC. In India it will air live on Star Movies early in the morning on 28 February.
Cates’ previous outings as producer have garnered 85 Emmy nominations and 21 Emmy Awards. He won the Emmy himself in 1991 for producing the 63rd Annual Academy Awards telecast.
Cates added, “I am delighted that Frank has asked me to rejoin the Academy for a twelfth stint as producer of a show that I love to do. I already have ideas whirling around in my head and can’t wait to see them through to fruition on Oscar Night.”
The 77th Academy Awards will be preceded by the telecast of the Academy’s official arrivals pre-show from 5:00-5:30 pm. on ABC. Cates also will serve as the executive producer of that show.
The Academy Awards will again be presented from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland.
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.
