GECs
Natpe pitches new initiative for 2004 convention
MUMBAI: Enthused by the success of last summer’s TV Producers’ Boot Camp, the National Association of Television Program Executives (Natpe) is introducing Pitch Pit in the Natpe 2004 conference to be held at Sands Expo Centre and Venetian Hotel in Los Angeles from January 18-20, 2004.
Pitch Pit is being pegged as an improved version of Natpe’s popular contest Pitch Me. The difference in this version is that instead of 15 people getting a chance to pitch a television idea, now 90 people will have the chance to sit one-on-one with agents from the top Hollywood talent agencies.
Announcing the contest, Natpe CEO and president Rick Feldman said, “Our TV Producers’ Boot Camp in August and subsequent conversations with our members led us to this idea. Also, we wanted to amend the Pitch Me competition with a more professional, productive and formal way for ideas to be exchanged.”
Located on the exhibition floor, and open only to Natpe 2004 registrants on a first-come, first served basis, the Pitch Pit will allow participants a maximum of ten minutes to formally pitch their program ideas to and seek general information on the development process from television agents and development executives from such top entertainment companies as Banyan Productions, Granada America, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, Paradigm and UTA.
The contest will also help raise money for Natpe’s educational foundation since the confirmation of the meeting requires a $25 cash-only donation to the Natpe Educational Foundation.
Hallmark Channel EVP programming David Kenin was quoted in a company press release as saying, “Our goal is to provide some guidance on the development process and potentially hear some great ideas for programming on Hallmark Channel. Either way, we want to do what we can to support Natpe and its Educational Foundation.”
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.
