GECs
Prasar Bharati earns Rs 300 million profit from South Africa, Sri Lanka series
NEW DELHI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati has raked in a profit of Rs 200-300 million from the two one-day series and one Test series.
Speaking to reporters today, Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma said the pubcaster earned a net revenue of around Rs 1.1-Rs 1.2 billion. Sri Lanka’s India tour comprised seven one-dayers and three Test matches while, against South Africa, India played five one-dayers.
As per the contract, Prasar Bharati was required to pay Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) Rs 75 million per one-day match and was to share revenues from Test matches on a 25:75 percentage basis.
“According to this formula, the amount payable to BCCI is Rs 800- Rs 900 million,” Sarma said.
Prasar Bharati had received telecast rights for India’s one-day matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa as well as the Test series with Sri Lanka. BCCI’s attempt to award long-term rights to private broadcasters was spoilt by the legal wrangling between ESPN-Star Sports and Zee Sports. Soon after the election of Sharad Pawar as the BCCI president, Zee Sports won the Lanka test telecast rights and shared the feed with Prasar Bharati.
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.
