GECs
‘KBC’ re-run to test waters for Bachchan’s return to Star
MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan is returning to Star Plus.
The channel, which plans to bring the superstar back to the small screen early in 2002, is testing the waters with a re-run of the best of Kaun Banega Crorepati episodes beginning 6 September. If the repeat series, made innovative with interactivity, clicks it could well herald a second season of KBC on the channel. Even if it doesn’t, Star already has a new game show, with Bachchan as host, readied for a 2003 launch.
Industry sources say UK-based Chatterbox has already developed a novel game show format with Bachchan envisaged as the anchor and hefty prize money involved. However, Star is yet to take a call on whether it should revive KBC in a new format in early 2003 or go for the show that Chatterbox has ready. The response to the KBC re-run should provide the answer to Star’s dilemma.
The re-run KBC series, that will air every Friday at 8 pm, is intended to whet viewer apetite and rekindle interest in the show that bid au revoir to viewers in the first week of January 2002. The 14-episode series will showcase notable moments, celebrities and jackpot winning participants and will also turn interactive, giving viewers the chance to win prize money by SMSing answers before Bachchan locks them on the show.
Star has tied up with Escorts-promoted CellNext Solutions, which will provide instant interaction between the game show and its viewers through various mobile operators’ networks. The channel has also tied up with all major cellular operators to set up an infrastructure for this interactive format. Star plans to deploy interactive televiewing to its entire bouquet in the coming months via SMS, Star COO Sameer Nair told mediapersons in Delhi on Tuesday. Some of the key offerings from the service include participation on shows/contests, astrology, song requests, bidding and so on.
Nair told mediapersons in Delhi yesterday that the SMS ploy would be employed for the new series as well. “The interactivity through SMS will bring viewers much closer to our network,” he has been quoted as saying.
Bachchan is still contracted to Star for 85 more episodes of KBC, so Star has the option of giving him a fresh innings in the show that brought him (and Star Plus) back into the reckoning or going in for a totally new format show.
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.
