GECs
MAA TV to celebrate one year with news channel
HYDERABAD: Tomorrow Indias first paid digital Telugu satellite television channel MAA TV will celebrate one year of operation.
MAA carved a path of its own in an unusual manner by becoming the first pay channel in a market that had several free-to-air channels. To mark its first anniversary Maa TV has announced it will be launching a 24-hour separate news channel very shortly, apart from the news bulletins on its regular channel. MAA is also planning to introduce district cable channels and to offer cable software content. The channel plans to introduce SMS based programmes and boost interactivity in the near future, a company release says.
The programme mix on the channel includes Journalist Diary which analyses current issues and investigative stories. Another show Goranta Deepam is targeted at women.
The anniversary celebrations will take place in Hyderabad at the Telugu Lalitha Kalathoranam. Chandra Babu Naidu will be the chief guest for the celebrations. Several state and the Central ministers and prominent political leaders including Bandaru Datt Atreya, Krishnam Raju and Devender Goud are expected to be present.
On the occasion Naidu will present MAA Visitaseva Puraskaram 2003 Awards to Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao, K Raghavendar Rao, Dr Dasari Narayana Rao, Dr Vasanthan, SV Prasad, IAS, Dr K Anji Reddy, Paruchuri Brothers, Brahmanandam, Dr D Ramanaidu, AG Krishnamurthy and Dr B Somaraju. Krishnamurthy was formerly the chief of Mudra Advertising. Henceforth, these awards will be given every year to eminent personalities from different walks of life.
The channel will also introduce the Swayamkrushi Awards. These will be given to the people of Tamil Nadu who brave life’s odds and physical problems and continue working. One of five people who will be felicitated is medical student Naresh who is supporting himself by running a barber shop.
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.
