GECs
NGC’s discovery of ancient dwarf human species
MUMBAI: One of National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) major programming initiatives for next year will revolve around dwarfs.
The network will air a special globally early next year that will feature the discovery of a new species of ancient dwarf humans on Flores, East Indonesia
These 18,000-year-old skeletal remains represent an expansion of our understanding related to the origins of modern man. The new species, Homo floresiensis, whose full grown height was approximately that of a modern three-year-old child, is thought to have lived 18,000 years ago and may have survived to more recent times.
The find demonstrates that the range of human diversity in the recent past was much greater than previously believed. The partial skeleton, discovered at a cave site called Liang Bua, belonged to an individual who, while fully adult, was barely a meter tall and had a skull the size of a grapefruit.
Meanwhile in the US NGC is providing the Washington, D.C. bureaus of all major U.S. networks and news services with a 10-minute long Electronic Press Kit (EPK) featuring footage from the as yet untitled special, branded with the network’s logo.
The EPK includes footage of the site and fossils, as well as sound bites from scientists.
The new findings have excited researchers with its implications. If unexpected branches of humanity are still being found today, and lived so recently, then who knows what else might be out there? The species’ diminutive stature indicates that humans are subject to the same evolutionary forces that made other mammals shrink to dwarf size when in genetic isolation and under ecological pressure, such as on an island with limited resources.
Meanwhile NGC US has announced that the special Inside the US Secret Service which aired on 24 October gave it the highest prime rating in the network’s history — both in households and demographics.
3.7 million Americans watched the special. This more than doubled the broadcaster’s previous record number of viewers for the 7 June airing of Return to Titanic.
In Households the secret service special outrated Discovery, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Fox News Channel among others for the 8-10 pm slot.
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.
