GECs
MTV denies that investors are disgruntled
MTV India chief Alex Kuruvilla has dismissed the report in Business Standard, which stated that non-resident Indians disgruntled with the channel’s performance in India had pulled out of the Mauritius-based overseas corporate body which is the holding company for the channel in India.
“The report seems biased,” he says. “While it is true that MTV India has become a 100% foreign-owned venture, it is not because people were fazed by losses. It is because the environment has changed and the Foreign Investment Promotion Board cleared our proposal for a 100 per cent venture. So it is more of a strategic move by us. When we set up initially, it was necessary to go through the NRI/OCB route.”
Kuruvilla adds that MTV India is among the stars in the MTV Worldwide stable. “There are four services which are considered amongst the most powerful brands in MTV and MTV India is one of them.” Kuruvilla points out that the Indian operations have got a leg up and the channel has got more ad commercial minutes than the other music services. “We are more than happy with our performance. Our rates too have been going up. But on the whole we know that there is a gestation period to get this service going.”
The Business Standard Story had additionally stated that MTV India will convert the existing shareholding of MTV Asia Ventures in MTV India from ‘NRI OCB with 24 per cent repatriable’ to fully repatriable foreign direct investment. It had additionally stated that the equity capital of the company is being expanded from Rs 60 million to Rs 100 million through the issue of further equity/preference capital of MTV Asia Ventures and/or its parent, subsidiaries and nominees. The preference capital shall be cumulative and non-convertible and have a maximum redemption period of 20 years. The rate of dividend will range between 0 to 15 per cent.
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.
