GECs
Pianist Yanni’s World Tour to be recorded for TV special
MUMBAI: Pianist Yanni’s first television special in seven years will be captured in high definition by 16 camera production teams and broadcast with Dolby 5.1 surround sound on 6 November.
The television special will be filmed live from the opening performance of his upcoming Yanni Live 2004-5 World Tour, which will begin from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Yanni’s last three television specials were recorded in the Taj Mahal in India, The Forbidden City in China, the Acropolis in Greece and at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall.
An official release informs that the show will include a special Sky Cam, which is normally exclusive to ABC’s Monday Night Football. In addition, over 70 microphones will capture the audio for this special event in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. The special will be broadcast nationally in 2005 and will be available on HD television, video and DVD. The audio recording will also be the basis for Yanni’s next live album following in the tradition of Live At The Acropolis and Tribute.
Yanni’s television specials have been the highest rated music pledge events for public television over the last decade and his DVD/VHS sales for all specials have totaled over two million units, making his live concert specials among the best sellers in the video market.
This show will feature many of Yanni’s classic compositions and fan favorites including Santorini, Standing in Motion, Until the Last Moment, Nostalgia and Nightingale. It will also highlight several popular songs from his most recent album, Ethnicity, including For All Seasons, Playtime and Rainmaker, as well as, some brand new compositions — World Dance, Prelude and The Storm. In addition, there will also be some behind-the-scenes footage of Yanni’s band rehearsals and preparation for this TV special.
The show will be directed by eleven time Emmy award winner George Veras, who has produced and directed all previous Yanni TV specials. The set design is by five time Emmy award winner Jeremy Railton, who created the Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and has designed sets for Cher, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Dixie Chicks, Phil Collins and Fleetwood Mac. Lighting design for this TV special will be by Peter Morse whose credits include shows with Madonna, Prince, Better Midler, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson and Shania Twain.
Yanni will kick-off his latest Yanni Live 2004/5 World Tour on 6 November in Las Vegas and the tour will visit 52 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The Yanni Live tour is being promoted in the US by Concerts West/AEG LIVE, in association with Danny O’Donovan, informs the release.
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.
