GECs
‘Kumkum Bhagya’ hits the 1000-episode milestone
MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor shows Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya have been working their magic for Zee TV since launch–the former since 2014. According to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), both shows have been ruling the roost across general entertainment channels (GECs) urban and rural (U+R) sectors. Since Kumkum Bhagya has completed the 1000-episode milestone, Zee TV has curated a catchy anthem ‘Meherbano’, thanking fans for their unwavering love and support. The celebration will be accompanied by a four-hour special marathon episode of the show starting from 6.30 pm on 15 January.
Zee TV deputy business head Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “Kumkum Bhagya has moved beyond the confines of a TV show to become an integral part of our viewers’ lives.” He added that they present stories and characters that not only entertain but are relatable and inspiring.
At the time of its launch in 2014, the show Kumkum Bhagya saw a distinct spike in viewership when the protagonists tied the knot, clocking in 7,405 TVTs. Coming back to the present, both the shows were among the top five Hindi GEC programmes in HSM (urban + rural) and HSM (urban). The flagship show has also been the reason for the rise of Zee’s free-to-air channel Zee Anmol, which was the top channel in BARC’s top-10 Hindi GEC channels for both urban + rural and rural markets in week 1.
Both shows are directed by Sameer Kulkarni and developed by Balaji Telefilms’ Kapoor who continues to bet her money on the letter ‘K’. Kumkum Bhagya‘s popularity led Zee TV to approach Balaji with the idea of a spinoff series titled Kundali Bhagya, which portrays the lives of two long lost sisters or Pragya – Preeta and Srishti. “The intricate narrative of Kumkum Bhagya was such that it lent itself to developing the sub-plots of myriad characters, each sub-plot emerging into a full-fledged story of its own,” Rajadhyaksha said.
With Kumkum Bhagya having created a benchmark in BARC’s top-five list, the question of whether to promote Kundali Bhagya or let it keep tapping into the elder’s popularity cropped up.“Kundali Bhagya enjoyed the rub-off effect of an already established, immensely popular franchise and, hence, initial sampling did certainly get a boost but the show had to hold its own steam on the merit of its own content from that point on,” he revealed.
Moreover, introducing two family dramas, with the intention of exploring a parallel universe, made them relatable and the undisputed leaders of weekday primetime. Majority of the show’s viewership comes from females 15 years and above, led by family viewership.
Given the immense fan following the show has built, the shows are expected to hold ground this year as well.
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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.
