GECs
SAB TV revenue grew nine-fold under Sony umbrella
NEW DELHI: Sab TV, which claims to be the country’s sole channel beaming only comedy series, claims to have grown its revenue nine times since it came under the Sony fold.
When pointed out that another channel being beamed to India from overseas was also showing comedy series, Sony SAB senior EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor was quick to point out to indiantelevision.com that SAB TV had a TRP of 119 at last count while that channel had only two.
Furthermore, all the series on SAB TV were Indian and not dubbed, he added. He said the channel broadcast seven comedy series every evening during the prime time from 7.00 pm and 11.00 pm.
Kapoor was speaking to indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a press meet to introduce the new comedy series ‘Khatmal-e-Ishque’ slated for telecast from 13 December, Monday to Friday at 10:00 pm.
Marketing head C M Mehra added that the new series was being publicised through print, radio, social media, and channels within the Sony network and other news and music channels.
As the marketing of this series was part of the overall marketing of all series on SAB, Mehra said, it was difficult to reveal any figure. Furthermore, he said that the marketing would also depend on how the series was received. At present, Sony has had press meets only in Ahmedabad and Delhi, and there is no plan for any more press meet but there may be one later in Mumbai.
Content head Devika Shivdasani told indiantelevision.com that the series comprised different love stories and not just one that would go on, endlessly.
When pointed out that another series on the channel had also experimented with different stories under the same title, she said those were real stories sent in by viewers but the new series has fictional stories.
The show highlights how people can fall in love when they least expect it, the importance of patience and determination, and how one learns life’s lessons while in love. The experience becomes even more interesting as the stories depict how the journey of life takes unprecedented comical twists in the quest for love.
Khatmal-E-Ishque is a compilation of short love stories, designed to extend to 15 to 20 episodes. The stories are such that they involve various instances where viewers can connect to their real-life situations. Each love story is a testament to how love conquers all, and shows the audience how to deal with various complications in their love lives.
One such story, the first in the series, is about Kapildev Dinkar (Vishal Malhotra), a traffic cop in Mumbai, and Lovina DeMello (Umang Jain), a physiotherapist from Goa, who fall head-over-heels in love with each other. The story will witness their struggle to convince their families to let them be together for the rest of their lives.
Apart from Malhotra and Jain, the first story will feature actors — Sulbha Arya, Sharat Saxena, and Akhilendra Mishra, among others.
Well-known television producer Ashwni Dhir of ‘Chidiyaghar’ and ‘Lapataganj’ fame has once again joined hands with Sony SAB to produce the series.
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.
