GECs
Nat Geo Intl calls for entries for documentary fund
MUMBAI: This is an opportunity for Asian television documentary filmmakers to showcase their wares across the region. Asia’s filmmakers are invited to submit their proposals for the fourth season of the National Geographic Channels International and Singapore Economic Development Board (NGCI-EDB) Documentary Fund. This is the fourth year of the initiative.
The call-for-entries follows the success of the first two seasons of 20 completed documentaries with another 17 from the third season currently in the making. The first season’s documentaries, which aired in 2003 won many awards and accolades including the acclaimed New York Film Festival, Jackson Hole Wildlife Festival and Asian Television Awards. The second season of 10 documentaries started airing on 5 May 2005.
The deadline for submission is on 15 August 2005. Shortlisted filmmakers will be notified in mid-September. They are expected to attend a 3-day master workshop and make their pitches to a panel of National Geographic Channel producers on 21 – 23 September 2005. The final results of the selected grantees will be announced on 23 September 2005.
NGCI executive VP production Bryan Smith says: “We are commissioning 11 hours of original programming for the fourth season. We look forward to work with talented Asia’s filmmakers in producing bold and innovative documentaries for our global viewers of over 230 million homes in 153 countries.”
NGCI is looking for unique, bold and innovative Asian stories in preferred themes and in one-hour documentary format or short series of up to three episodes. EDB director infocomms and media Quek Swee Kuan says, “Through our collaboration with NGCI over the past three seasons, we have witnessed some of Asia’s best filmmakers produce award-winning documentaries that are watched the world over.
“We are proud to play a key role in building a world-class creative talent base in Asia, particularly within Singapore. We encourage talented filmmakers to create original content that will appeal to East and West viewers and submit their proposals for this fourth season.”
All Asia-based filmmakers are eligible to submit their proposals towards this NGCI-EDB Documentary Fund (2005). NGCI will commission 11 hours of original programming at the usual appropriate level of funding that would enable filmmakers to produce high quality documentaries for global airing on the National Geographic Channel.
Successful grantees can look forward to showcasing their talents through National Geographic Channel’s global distribution of up to 230 million homes in 153 countries, and will also have the opportunity of a long-term creative relationship with the National Geographic Channel. Under the direction of NGC’s producers, all projects under this fund will aim to meet the hallmark standards of NGC. they are great storytelling, breathtaking and engaging visuals, smart, innovative and cutting-edge topics and treatments.
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.
