GECs
Kairali TV targets August launch for 2nd channel
MUMBAI: Malayalam Communications Ltd (MCL), which owns the Malayalam satellite television channel Kairali TV, will launch its second television channel in August this year. The yet-to-be named channel has chosen 17 August as the tentative launch date.
After covering the general entertainment space with Kairali TV, MCL is launching an infotainment channel now. Confirming this to indiantelevision.com, Kairali TV MD & editor John Brittas said the programming would have a ratio of 60 per cent news and 40 per cent entertainment.
“The channel will have an emphasis on news and current affairs programmes. We will have a dedicated band for business news, which will cover areas ranging from agriculture to automobiles. Though we won’t be telecasting movies, we will have film-based programmes as part of our entertainment section,” says Brittas.
Brittas adds that, with the new channel, MCL hopes to tap the tremendous market potential for news programming in Kerala. The new channel will also have English news bulletins in its line-up.
MCL has roped in N P Chandrasekharan, who was earlier with Malayalam channels Asianet and Indiavision, as the executive editor of the new channel. According to Brittas, the new venture will initially make use of Kairali TV’s news division and will look for hiring more professionals in the next phase.
Malayalam television’s news channel space presently has two players: Indiavision, which is mainly funded by people from the Muslim community in Kerala and the Middle East and the Asianet Communications promoted Asianet News. While Indiavision is a dedicated news channel, Asianet News has entertainment programmes also in its line up.
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.
