GECs
Prasar Bharti, IABM to hone skills of broadcast engineers
MUMBAI: The Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU), with support from the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM), conducted a training course on radio transmitters at the AIR Staff Training Institute (Technical) in New Delhi from 21 February to 4 March 2005.
Course highlights included sessions on AM, FM and digital broadcasting techniques; participants were exposed to the various systems and hardware pertaining to radio transmitters and delved into topics on digital radio broadcast.
ABU head of Studio Technology & Training Rukmin Wijemanne said, “The training course is the result of a unique partnership between Prasar Bharati, the IABM and the ABU. The trainees will benefit immensely from these well prepared courses.”
“All India Radio (Pasar Bharati) is happy to be able to contribute to the development of the technical skills of broadcast engineers in the Asia-Pacific region under this partnership. We hope that such partnerships will continue in the future for similar developmental missions in the Asia-Pacific region,” said All India Radio engineer-in-chief K. M. Paul.
In addition, the ABU-IABM Training Course on TV Studio Equipment will be held on 7 March -18 March 2005, also in New Delhi and at the same venue. The course will provide engineers with an insight into the functioning of TV studio equipment, video production and post-production practices, and the move from analogue to digital. A visit to Doordarshan’s TV Studios for course participants will also be arranged.
Introduced at IBC 2001, the IABM Tom McGann bursary provides financial assistance totalling up to £20,000 (USD 38,160), administered through responsible and recognised organisations, to groups of young engineers who would otherwise be unable to benefit from such formal training. The bursary recognises a life-long and significant contribution made to the international broadcasting community by Tom McGann, a former chairman of the IABM, and reflects the IABM’s ongoing commitment to assisting in the future of broadcasting.
Both ABU courses are funded by the Tom McGann Bursary Award scheme – providing the allowance for some 33 trainees from ABU member organisations. The IABM previously awarded this bursary to the ABU in 2002 which was used to train 6 engineers at the USTTI, DW Radio and TV Training Centres, informs an official release.
“The IABM established the annual Tom McGann Bursary, with the primary purpose of promoting and assisting with the provision of engineering training within the broadcasting industry. It’s very important that we provide opportunities to students who may not otherwise be able to gain access to this type of training,” commented IABM chairman Martin Salter. “By granting the Tom McGann Bursary to a well respected and established broadcasting organisation such as the ABU, we can reach young engineers all over the world, widening the talent pool for manufacturers’ looking to employ the next generation of broadcasting engineers.”
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.
