GECs
Rediffusion to handle Zee no more
MUMBAI: It’s official now. Rediffusion DY&R has stopped handling corporate communications for Zee’s flagship channel Zee TV as well as Zee MGM and Zee English as of 1 September.
Clea PR however continues to handle Zee Cinema and Zee Music, which are headed by ETC promoter Yogesh Radhakrishnan. The decision to handle the PR for the Zee channels had been taken a few months ago, when the Subhash Chandra-led Essel Group decided to create a signature group under Corporate Brand Development Group (CBDG) for all the brands in the group as a corporate brand. Rediffusion however was handling the Zee accounts till recently.
While the brands that the new group will handle includes all Zee brands, Alpha brands, Playwin, Zee Education, Essel World, Water Kingdom, Fun Republic, Essel Propack Ltd., and the Agrani group, Zee Cinema and Zee Music have been left out of its ambit, at least for the time being.
The move has come almost in conjunction with the group’s decision to start subscribing to TAM data. The flagship Zee TV has recently launched its big ticket show of the year – Awaz – Dil Se Dil Tak and is scheduled to launch another – The Magic Make Up Box this Sunday. Last year’s innovative show, Jeena Isika Naam Hai, also returns in a new season to the channel this Friday.
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.
