GECs
Pakistan’s cable TV operators end strike
MUMBAI: Cable operators have agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) regarding re-broadcasting of channels without ‘lending rights’.
A spokesman for Pemra said the authority had returned the equipment of the cable operators confiscated for showing the channels, which had not been granted ‘lending rights’ by Pemra.
The cable operators pledged to support Pemra to enforce regulatory regime and they called off their strike in Islamabad on 24th December and resumed their cable service operation. .The spokesman said the satellite channel required registration under rules for getting ‘lending rights’.
The spokesman said 35 channels had no ‘lending rights’ from Pemra including AXN, National Geographic, Reality, Set Max, Sony, Sahara One, Balle Balle, Etc, Channel One, Now, MM, MM2, M NET, Series, Action, Super Sports 1, Super Sports 2, Super Sports 3, Super Sports 4, Super Sports 5, Super Sports 6, Fashion TV International, Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Music, Zee Sports, Zee News, Zee Smile, STAR Ustav, STAR Care, STAR Gold, BHU Movies, BHU Music and E-Entertainment.
On 23 December, Pemra had ordered Pakistan’s cable TV operators to stop airing 35 channels over ‘piracy issues’ and threatened a complete shutdown of the service from this week, a media report said .
“It (the closure of 35 channels) is a regulatory action to force cable TV operators to air only legitimately subscribed channels and stop showing those banned by the government,” said Pemra spokesman Muhammad Saleem. “We have received complaints from these channels and have been urging these operators not to indulge in piracy and show only those channels which they subscribe to.”
The cable industry in Pakistan was legalised in 2000 during the military rule of Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan Television (PTV) had total monopoly in the television industry till private channels, run from outside but catering to Pakistani audiences, began surfacing in mid-2002.
There has been a tremendous growth in cable TV operators in the country over the last two years and besides nearly 1,000 registered with the association, there are countless others operating illegally.
For commercial and political reasons, Pakistan banned some Indian channels in 1999 as the government at that time believed they were hurting the country’s interests.
While they were believed to be indulging in propaganda against the country, these channels were also eating away a major chunk of advertising revenue as people had switched over to more entertaining Indian channels.
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.
