GECs
Kannada film talks postponed; Non-Kannada films to release next week
BANGALORE: The 9 November meeting between Karnataka CM Dharam Singh and the representatives of the Film Federation of India (FFI) has been postponed since the former is busy with cabinet expansion work. A fresh date will be announced later.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Indian film industry which had threatened embargos against Kannada filmdom is, for the moment, satisfied with the Supreme Court (SC) and the Karnataka High Court (HC) verdicts against the moratorium and have decided not to participate in the FFI meeting with the CM.
The Hindi film producers have decided to directly release Veer Zara and Naach on coming Friday – 12 November, since the local distributors are a part of an out-of-court settlement of a three week moratorium with the Kannada Film fraternity. Aitraaz, Manthan (Tamil), the Sudeep starrer Kannada film Nalia are some of the other Indian films slated for release on the same day.
The Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) has in the meantime urged the state Government to release the Rs.50 million sanctioned for subsidy to Kannada Films, saying that over 60 Kannada films are due for subsidy since 2002. The films entitled for the subsidy have to be short-listed as yet. Since the moratorium has no legal standing as is evidenced by the SC and the HC verdicts, the KFCC also plans to work out an informal pact with the FFI to help the Kannada film industry and are yet hopeful of implementation of the moratorium.
The KFCC also feels that though the JAC has decided not to take part in a meeting with the CM over the moratorium, they are still bound abide by any decision taken by the FFI which is the apex body.
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.
