GECs
Sabe TV sticks to its guns on ‘Zimmedar Kaun?’
Controversy notwithstanding, Sabe TV will go ahead with the scheduled telecast of the Zimmedar Kaun? episode featuring the hawkers-Bombay Municipal Corporation fracas tomorrow at noon.
Sabe TV vice-chairman and managing director Markand Adhikari says there will be no rethinking on the telecast of ‘Feriwale’, as demanded by deputy municipal commissioner Chandrashekhar Rokde. The chat show had degenerated into mud slinging and even physical abuse as host Priya Tendulkar allegedly sided with some of the panelists during the debate on whether hawking should be restricted in Mumbai. Tendulkar herself claimed that she had been also hit during the show. Rokde allegedly walked out of the episode in disgust after he was heckled by hawkers’ union leader Suresh Kapile and a section of the audience. Citizen’s forums’ representatives who participated in the show also spoke about Tendulkar’s bias.
Adhikari says the channel does not interfere with the editorial aspects of its programmes. Zimmedar Kaun? is produced by host Tendulkar herself. The programme was launched at the time of the Sabe TV channel launch in 2000, and won the RAPA award for the best talk show in June this year. It was also nominated for the Screen Videocon awards this year.
Meanwhile, the Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat, which is spearheading the hawkers’ agitation against the municipal corporation, seems to have got its facts a little mixed up. In a press release, it has demanded that Zee TV go ahead and telecast the controversial episode, failing which the union will hold demonstrations in front of Rokde’s office. Rokde had earlier said that, in all fairness, the channel should refrain from airing this episode.
So what can we expect now? A demonstration outside Zee’s offices for “their having bowed to BMC pressure in not airing the show?”
The programme is aired on Sabe TV on Sundays at noon, with a repeat telecast at 8 PM.
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.
