GECs
Insat-4A ready for launch on 22 Dec; DD to telecast event live
MUMBAI: Preparations are in its final stages for the launch of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) latest satellite, Insat-4A, on board the 169th flight of Ariane from Kourou, French Guyana. Doordarshan will telecast live the launch of Insat-4A, which will begin at 3:45 am on 22 December, 2005 on DD-National.
As already reported on Indiantelevision.com, the launch window for the Ariane-5 G, carrying Insat-4A and its co-passenger, a meteorological satellite, MSG-2 of the European EUMETSAT, is fixed between 04.03 am and 4.31 am.
Insat-4A is the first satellite to be launched in the Insat-4 series. It carries 12 high power Ku-band transponders (all leased out to the Tata-Sky DTH venture) to meet the requirement of direct-to-home (DTH) television services apart from 12 C-band transponders to augment the Insat capacity for communication and DTH services. Weighing 3080 kg at lift-off, Insat-4A is the heaviest satellite of ISRO so far.
The Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka is in readiness to take control of Insat-4A soon after Ariane-5 places it in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of about 620 km x 36,000 km.
In the following days after launch, MCF will conduct operations like orbit raising manoeuvres to take the satellite into the final 36,000 km circular Geosynchronous Orbit.
Deployment of solar arrays and antennas will be carried out before positioning the satellite in its designated orbital slot of 83 degree East longitude along with Insat-2E and Insat-3B. MCF will also carry out regular operations and control of the satellite during its service life.
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.
