GECs
Pentamedia reports 55% jump in net profit, planning six animation movies
Pentamedia Graphics has reported a 55 per cent jump in its net profit at Rs 1535.5 million on a turnover Rs 5523.8 million for the financial year ended 31 March 2001. It has also declared a dividend of Rs 3 per share.
Regarding the vexed issue of its bid to take over the US-based Film Roman, which has run into difficulties, Pentamedia has declared that the issue has been left to chairman V Chandrasekaran to deal with. Chandrasekaran will be leaving on Monday to the USA to negotiate with Film Roman management.
In its annual report released on Thursday, Pentamedia reported a 104 per cent jump in its net profit for the fourth quarter at Rs 337.6 million against Rs 164.7 million last year. Turnover went up 41 per cent as against Rs 3929.9 million last year. The turnover for the quarter ended 31 March 2001 was Rs 1450 million.
The company claims it has got orders on hand worth $ 155 million to be executed over the next 15 months with a human resources strength of over 2,100.
Among the projects which it has completed are Sinbad’s television premiere which was released in the US on November 2000. In the last quarter of the year Pandavas – The Five Warriors, a 90-minute hybrid (convergence of live action & animation) 3D animation movie based on the famous epic Mahabharatha, was released in English for global audiences. Pandavas won the National Award for the best English feature animation movie. At the Vancouver Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, Pandavas was adjudged as the second best movie from a total of 22 animation movies.
Pentamedia has also successfully completed the production of Alibaba, to be screened in the May 2001.
This year Pentamedia is planning six more animation movies, each of 90 minutes duration. It is also planning to expand its presence in gaming by using existing animation contents and by developing new gaming contents.
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.
