GECs
Rebranded Nick, MTV’s kiddie sibling now 12-hours Hindi
MUMBAI: Kids channel Nickelodeon, in its all-out bid to get a toe-hold in Indian TV homes, has renamed itself (on air) as Nick and become almost completely ‘desi’.
Twelve hours of Hindi-dubbed programming from 8 am to 8 pm is what it offers. The 12-hour Hindi feed became effective as of last Thursday (22 April).
Through a dual audio feed, Nick has been gradually stepping up its Hindi content on the channel from four hours in 2003 to eight hours in early 2004 to a twelve-hour time band, effectively the entire viewing time of a kid, according to a company release. Over and above Hindi-dubbed shows, the new Nick identity will also be reflected in the channels ever changing Nick ID, vignettes and interstitials.
Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director, MTV Networks India is quoted in the release as saying: “This is the year for Nick. We have joined The One Alliance platform – this will see serious growth in our penetration. We have gone 100 per cent Hindi to connect with kids across India (English will continue to play a role in relevant markets). We have launched our first marketing initiative with Saif Ali Khan and plan to do a lot more programming around Bollywood. The sure shot way to get to the Indian kid’s heart. All of this should be simply irresistible to any advertiser / brand whose livelihood depends on kids consumption or kids pester power.”
The Dekha Kya? Nick Ab Hindi Mein! campaign is being promoted on-air across Nick, MTV and extensively across local cable channels in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Over and above this, Nick will also be prominently visible through the month of May on outdoor locations across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Leading kids publications (both Hindi and English) will carry the Dekha Kya? Nick Ab Hindi Mein! campaign ads.
Nick, along with sibling channel MTV officially come on board the Sony-Discovery One Alliance distribution platform from 1 May.
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.
