Movie Channels
Paramount Channel sets sail for Russia and Hungary
MUMBAI: After its launch in Spain and France, Paramount Channel is now looking at making inroads into the Russian and Hungarian market this month.
In Russia, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has secured carriage for the service with Rostelecom, which operates the country’s largest cable TV network. The deal is for a Russian-language version of Paramount Channel to be available to Interactive TV subscribers as part of the Movie and Maximum packages. Paramount Channel HD will also be available to Rostelecom viewers.
In Hungary, a distribution agreement has been signed with affiliate partners Tarr Kft., P R Telekom, Invitel and Magyar Telekom to launch a localised feed of the channel.
Paramount Channel launched in Spain in 2012 and in France in 2013. The channel offers a selection of films from the Paramount Pictures library. In Hungary, the lineup will be expanded to include contemporary classics from other American film studios and some of the best in European movies from the last few decades.
The channel is delighted that Russia and Hungary will be amongst the first markets globally to introduce the brand and its world class lineup of films to pay-TV audiences. The market will be a strong and complementary addition to the channel portfolio and will help it continue to grow its share of key audiences in these important European markets.
Movie Channels
Zee5 launches five free FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India
New genre-led channels bring comedy, drama, horror, classics and South films to Smart TVs.
MUMBAI: Zee5 just turned Samsung Smart TVs into a free entertainment buffet because when premium content costs nothing, even the remote control starts smiling. Zee5 has launched five curated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus India, making high-quality, genre-specific entertainment available subscription-free to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners across the country.
The five channels now live are:
Zee Comedy Nation – Popular comedy shows and movies
Zee Dil Se – Compelling drama series
ZEE Horror Nights – Horror and supernatural content
ZEE Cine Classic – Timeless Indian films
ZEE South Flix – High-energy South Indian films dubbed in Hindi
All content is drawn from Zee5’s extensive library and programmed in a lean-back, always-on format ideal for large-screen viewing. This launch strengthens Zee5’s Connected TV strategy at a time when 64 per cent of its premium content watch time already comes from connected devices.
Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said, “At Zee5, we believe accessibility and scale will define the next phase of digital entertainment growth in India. Our presence on Samsung TV Plus strengthens our Connected TV strategy, enabling viewers to discover curated, genre-led content in a seamless, free, and premium environment.”
Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta added, “Local partnerships are at the heart of how we grow Samsung TV Plus in India. Zee Entertainment is one of India’s most iconic media brands, and bringing their channels to our service means millions more Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy premium local content, subscription-free.”
The channels are available directly through the pre-installed Samsung TV Plus app with no login or subscription required. This marks another milestone in Zee5’s CTV expansion and builds on its growing international presence, with Zee channels already available on Samsung TV Plus across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In a streaming world where paywalls often block the fun, Zee5 and Samsung have quietly opened the gates, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and on your TV) really are free especially when they come with a side of comedy, drama, horror, classics and South Indian blockbuster energy.
