GECs
NRIs plan to launch multi-lingual TV channel
MUMBAI: A group of non resident Indians (NRIs) are getting together to float a multi-lingual entertainment channel
The company, Manvik Vinjnan Communications Ltd (MVCL), will be based out of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. “The promoters are NRIs based out of Singapore and the Middle East,” says the company’s managing director Rajesh Narayanan.
The channel, Bhaarath TV, will offer programmes in Malayalam, Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. “We will be investing Rs 500 million towards the channel,” says MVCL executive director Rajan Mannaar.
Mini Purushotham, who was an executive at Sun Network, has been appointed as the CEO of the channel.
“We are planning to launch in September 2006. We have applied for the uplinking licence. We expect to start the test run in April,” Narayanan adds.
Explaining the strategy behind launching a multi-lingual channel, Narayanan said the plan was to attract prominent national as well as local advertisers. Elaborating on the content structure being planned, he said Bhaarath TV would telecast news in all the six languages.
“About 25 per cent of the content would be devoted to Malayalam language while Hindi will dominate the 7 pm – 10 pm evening primetime,” says Narayanan.
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.
