GECs
MTV India head Alex Kuruvilla quits
MUMBAI: In a development that has taken many within the cult music franchise by surprise, MTV Networks Asia executive vice-president and MTV India managing director Alex Kuruvilla has resigned, it was internally announced today.
The announcement was made by Frank Brown, president of MTV Networks Asia Pacific, during the company’s weekly Friday “town hall” meeting. Kuruvilla’s last official working day at MTV will be 30 June.
It is not clear at this point of time where exactly he is headed.
Meanwhile, a company statement issued a short while after Indiantelevision.com broke the news of Kuruvilla’s departure said a replacement would be announced shortly.
Says Kuruvilla, “What a ride! Ive had the opportunity to be part of it all during my time here from launching exciting new channels, to bringing reality television to India and changing the idea of what a music channel is expected to be. Im especially proud of MTVs undisputed leadership position in the Indian entertainment scenario, the impact its had on Indian youth in the country and our pro-social work, particularly in the area of HIV / AIDS. I will miss Team MTVN.
Brown lauded Kuruvilla contribution to the network’s development in India, saying, “Were very sorry to see Alex go. Hes been with this company through challenging as well as triumphant times and has had a major role in making MTV Networks India the powerhouse of talent and ideas that it is today. However, Alex will continue to work with us on a few business projects for some time to come.”
It was during his term that Viacom kids channel Nickelodeon, which was later christened for Indian Kids as Nick, and the international music and lifestyle channel Vh1, which was brought to India in 2004, marked their entry.
An advertising professional with a passion for music and entertainment, Kuruvilla joined the company in 1999 from the erstwhile Hindustan Thompson Associates (now JWT).
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.
