Movie Channels
HBO rejigs Monday lineup with ‘Generation Me’ initiative
MUMBAI: HBO continues to innovate through diverse themes. The latest one targeted at the youth is called HBO Generation Me. The catchphrase being used is ‘Because you deserve entertainment to call your own!’
The programme kicks off at 3:45 pm every Monday from 2 June. Two programmes will air back to back, starting with the countdown show on weekly box office hits in Box Office America, followed by premieres, blockbusters. There will also be films on the hottest rising stars in a novel format that changes every week.
Box Office America is a news based special. It includes a count down of the top ten movies in the US every week. It also focuses on the latest movie news. There are interviews with stars and directors every week and HBO gets special access to behind-the-scenes at film locations. In addition, viewers can find out some interesting facts and a perspective of the world’s best movie-making.
This will be followed by blockbuster movies. There are sub categories under this which include My Premiere, My Choice. The latter sees the channel showcasing movies from genres favoured by the youth as well as flicks that deal with the issues faced by the youth. Then one can also watch Young Hollywood . The channel will scout and showcase the “next biggest thing in Hollywood”. Every month, one of Hollywood’s finest upcoming, young stars will be identified and one of his/her best movies will be aired.
In this category, next month, Reese Witherspoon gives arguably her best performance so far as an obnoxious high school overachiever running for student body president who finds herself being opposed by an unlikely candidate in the satire Election.
Speaking on the initiative HBO South Asia MD James P. Marturano said:” The youth are recognised by HBO as an important group of audience who should have their own programming slot that is most convenient for their own viewing. HBO believes in giving the youth what they want.”
“HBO Generation Me is not just another montage of movies slapped together but the different sub-categories provide an element of variety and freshness for the brand” Marturano added.
Movie Channels
Zee5 launches five free FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India
New genre-led channels bring comedy, drama, horror, classics and South films to Smart TVs.
MUMBAI: Zee5 just turned Samsung Smart TVs into a free entertainment buffet because when premium content costs nothing, even the remote control starts smiling. Zee5 has launched five curated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus India, making high-quality, genre-specific entertainment available subscription-free to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners across the country.
The five channels now live are:
Zee Comedy Nation – Popular comedy shows and movies
Zee Dil Se – Compelling drama series
ZEE Horror Nights – Horror and supernatural content
ZEE Cine Classic – Timeless Indian films
ZEE South Flix – High-energy South Indian films dubbed in Hindi
All content is drawn from Zee5’s extensive library and programmed in a lean-back, always-on format ideal for large-screen viewing. This launch strengthens Zee5’s Connected TV strategy at a time when 64 per cent of its premium content watch time already comes from connected devices.
Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said, “At Zee5, we believe accessibility and scale will define the next phase of digital entertainment growth in India. Our presence on Samsung TV Plus strengthens our Connected TV strategy, enabling viewers to discover curated, genre-led content in a seamless, free, and premium environment.”
Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta added, “Local partnerships are at the heart of how we grow Samsung TV Plus in India. Zee Entertainment is one of India’s most iconic media brands, and bringing their channels to our service means millions more Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy premium local content, subscription-free.”
The channels are available directly through the pre-installed Samsung TV Plus app with no login or subscription required. This marks another milestone in Zee5’s CTV expansion and builds on its growing international presence, with Zee channels already available on Samsung TV Plus across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In a streaming world where paywalls often block the fun, Zee5 and Samsung have quietly opened the gates, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and on your TV) really are free especially when they come with a side of comedy, drama, horror, classics and South Indian blockbuster energy.
