GECs
Karnataka MSOs suspend stir against entertainment tax after meet with minister
MUMBAI / BANGALORE: Karnataka’s couch potatoes can breathe easy. For now. The state’s multi system operators (MSOs) have suspended their threat to black out signals against the new entertainment tax of 10 per cent levied by the Karnataka state government.
This followed a meeting this evening in the Karnataka state capital of Bangalore with finance minister PGR Sindhia who has asked the MSOs in the city to put forward a solution on the tax issue and present it before the State Commercial Taxes Department.
This decision was taken during the second round of discussions held between the minister and the MSOs at 5:30 pm today. Following this, the MSOs have suspended their strike.
“The minister has asked us to prepare a presentation detailing a solution that can avoid this double taxation. We are supposed to meet Commercial Taxes Department on 9 September. Then we will have another round of discussions with the minister on 15 September,” Siti Cable regional director P Kailasam told indiantelevision.com.
In protest against the new entertainment tax of 10 per cent levied by the Karnataka state government, MSOs had disconnected the cable services on 5 September at 8 pm. They had also threatened to black out television screens throughout the entire state if the government did not withdraw the tax burden. But they suspended their strike following the first meeting with the minister at 11:30 am.
Entertainment tax is already being paid by the cable operators. By amending the Karnataka Entertainment Tax Act, the government has levied a new tax on the MSOs, which is 10 per cent of the money collected from cable operators.
The MSOs argument is that the State Commercial Taxes Department officials have been demanding the tax payment though the issue is pending before the Karnataka High Court.
The MSO’s contend that they are only providing signals to the cable operators who in any case are already paying entertainment tax. Levying an additional entertainment on the MSO’s amounts to double taxation, which would only make television viewing dearer for the subscribers.
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.
