GECs
IBF united to thrash out differences on CAS
NEW DELHI: The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) today decided that it should put up a united front and thrash out various differences, including those on conditional access, within the organisation itself.
In a board meeting, which was not attended by Foundation president and Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma owing to an official visit to Srinagar, a decision on the show cause notice issued to Sahara TV president Mahesh Prasad was deferred till the next meeting of the IBF.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com on behalf of the IBF, ESPN India’s head Manu Sawhney said, “The IBF stands united, more than ever at this juncture. We realise that all the members have a big role to play in industry related issues, including the implementation of CAS.”
Sawhney also downplayed the discordant note that Sarma had struck during a recent meeting with the parliamentary standing committee on IT, telecom and convergence, where he had disagreed with an IBF subcommittee view that CAS should be phased in and tried out in one city before being deployed in all the metros as had been mandated by the government.
“We are working collectively to address the (industry) issues proactively, including those related to the consumers,” Sawhney said. Though he refused to comment on the Mahesh Prasad issue saying “it’s an internal matter,” he did add that reduction of duty on the set top boxes (needed for CAS) is one of the key issues for the IBF at the moment for which the Foundation “would once again reinforce its stand to the government.”
Meanwhile, Sarma visited the Srinagar radio station in his capacity as the CEO of Prasar Bharati to review the situation after militants had struck there.
Sarma also appreciated All India Radio station director Rafeeq Masoodi and his staff for making it possible to run the station without any disruption despite a fierce gun battle being fought outside the premises.
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.
