GECs
‘Sesame Street’ to don Indian avatar
MUMBAI: The Muppets are coming to India. The popular American TV series for kids Sesame Street is to don an Indian avatar with the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Sesame Workshop, a non-profit organisation, has been promised a grant of $500,000 (Rs 23.21 million) to design and develop the Indian version, according to a US embassy statement.
“Big Bird”, the giant yellow bird that sings songs and plays games with other muppets like “Elmo”, “Cookie”, “Bert” and “Ernie” will all feature in the new series.
We are thrilled with the process in India and thankful for all the support,” CEO of Sesame Workshop Gary E. Knell was quoted in the embassy statement as saying. “Our goal is to create engaging educational content, where there is need,” he added
The programme, often touted as the most-loved kids’ series in the US (arguably the world), features in over 20 countries, including Egypt and South Africa. Aimed at pre-school children, it features a variety of songs, dances, games and stories for kids.
The new programme would be developed in consultation with Indian educators, media programmers and child development experts to help localise the content, the statement says.
It would be designed specially to help children in the rural areas to laugh, learn and grow, the statement adds.
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.
