GECs
IMG meets deputy PM Advani, I&B minister Prasad
NEW DELHI: The Indian Media Group (IMG), a newly-formed body of domestic media companies with the exception of few like Hindustan Times, today met senior ministers in the government to reiterate the demand for level playing field in area of tax structure too.
According to government sources, the IMG first met information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and then later were scheduled to meet deputy prime minister LK Advani.
“Basically, we met the I&B minister to thank him for having heeded to our demands on level playing field (vis-?-vis foreign owned media companies) and also reiterate the requests on equality on the tax structure like withholding taxes,” a member of IMG said after coming out of a meeting with Prasad.
IMG was formed some time back to put pressure on the government on the issue of Star News. One of the demands of the group had been that laws like uplinking norms should be made more stringent and the government should execute its compliance in letter and spirit. This demand had been made in the wake of Star News controversy when many in the IMG had alleged that Star was making “a monkey” of India laws.
Those who came to meet Prasad and later were slated to meet up with Advani included Times of India’s Vineet Jain and Vijay Jindal; the India Today Group’s Aroon Purie and Prabhu Chawla; and Zee Telefilms CMD Subhash Chandra.
When Chandra was asked about the agenda of the meetings, he simply said IMG had come to “thank” the I&B minister for having favourably listened to their demand of a playing field. On being asked to elaborate, he said IMG spokesperson Purie would speak, who evaded all questions from the media.
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.
