GECs
Reliance Infocomm wooing cable operators to push fixed telephony & broadband
MUMBAI: For Anil Ambani, it has been the hardest part of the game. The last mile, crucial for offering triple play services, has so far been elusive.
Now, Ambani has come out with a concrete offer to cable operators. His aim is to push fixed telephony and broadband services with their assistance.
Reliance Infocomm is offering cable operators a 10 per cent margin on gross revenues from data and voice services, sources say. The billing will be handled by Reliance. The telecom company has also promised to invest in the infrastructure, which will include digital loop carriers (DLC), home switches, and Cat 5 cable.
DLC, which is a junction box through which Reliance will push Cat 5 cable, will be installed for every 200 customers of telephony and around 42 customers of broadband Internet. Reliance Infocomm will put in the entire investments.
There is a catch, though. Cable operators will have to put in Rs 100,000 as security deposit for each DLC. And they will not be given any interest on these deposits. “We are making all the investments. We just need a commitment from cable operators,” a source in the company said.
Cable operators, however, are not fully convinced. “Why should we set aside Rs 100,000 for every DLC? We are, after all, going to bring them the customers. Besides, we offer cable Internet on our own,” a last mile operator said.
Cable operators also fear that Reliance will be competing with them as it plans to launch direct-to-home (DTH) television and video services.
Still, for his latest initiative, Ambani has carefully kept video services out of the game so far. He does not want the cable operators to feel that he is entering their turf and could snatch their business away.
Ambani’s sales pitch: cable operators can build in an additional revenue stream. “Cable operators can make money from telephony and broadband in addition to their offering of cable TV services,” says the source.
The big question is: will cable operators bite the bait?
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.
