GECs
‘Here comes the hotstepper – KBC 2’
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MUMBAI: Its back for the last time.
Act Two; Scene One: Signature tune with logo. Jump cut to the Bollywood badshah dressed in a snazzy black jacket rapping all the way with the audience. Cut, again, to the hot seat, computerji and Amitabh Bachchan. Zoom to the buzzer round, which will decide the lucky individual who will be seated on the hot seat. (It’s an IIT Madras student) 
That’s what millions of TV viewers will see in exactly 24 hours from now (5 August 9 pm). |
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KBC 2 is racy and spicy. The Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, for starters, has a hipper atmosphere with AB wearing the rapper’s hat and his attire — courtesy a top fashion designer — transformed from aristocratic to hip-hop.
What adds to the excitement is, of course, the doubled prize money that stands at Rs 20 million. What’s more, this time round Bachchan will pose a question in every episode right in the beginning for KBC viewers who could not reach the Fastest Finger First (FFF) or the Hot Seat.
The viewers have to rush in their answers either through the MTNL/BSNL landline or an Airtel number. This has to be done a few minutes before Bachchan reveals the answer of the said question just before the episode ends.
The viewer with the right answer and the quickest response time will be selected through a random computer draw to pocket Rs 200,000. The winner will be informed a few days after the episode. That apart, the nine contestants who lose out in the FFF and don’t make it to the Hot Seat (HS) will get a fresh chance to play via Play Along. While the Big B asks questions to the HS player, the nine FFF participants can play along. At the end of the episode, one of the nine contestants who has got the maximum answers right in the least amount of time will win Rs 200,000 as well.
Flip can be used at any point in time if the participant in the Hot Seat finds the question tough and can ask to flip the question. This is in addition to the already existing three lifelines – audience poll, phone-a-friend and 50/50.
KBC 2’s first schedule consists of 14 episodes. Interestingly, according to Star Plus, 77 per cent of KBC 2 respondents have come from small towns (population less than 1 million) . In 2000 when KBC hit the small screen, most of the respondents had come from metros. KBC 2 has received a total number of 50 million calls. |
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The first schedule sees a dominant presence of respondents from Madhya Pradesh and Kolkata; 16 each.
Looking at consolidating the weekend block, KBC 2 will get a lead in from serial major Kasautii Zindagi Kay on Friday and will be led out by Star Plus’ new show debuting tomorrow, Ba, Bahoo Aur Baby at 10 pm on weekends. On Fridays at 10:30 pm, viewers will see Star Plus’ evergreen star Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Sundays will see the launch of Shanno Ki Shaadi, 7 August onwards at 10:30 pm, taking the lead in from Ba, Bahoo Aur Baby.
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So what’s different this time round as Bachchan gazes intensely into the eyes of the contestant and in his baritone voice asks, “Lock kiya jaye?” Plenty.
Hang on! There’s more in KBC 2. The show will also see the introduction of the fourth lifeline called Flip. This lifeline can only be activated by the participant in the HS after he/she crosses the first stage or the sixth question.
Will KBC 2 script yet another leaf in the success book of Indian television and that of Star Plus, especially on the weekends? We also can’t wait to ‘unlock’ this verdict!
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.
