GECs
Sesame Workshop & Turner to co-produce ‘Sesame Street’ in India
MUMBAI: Sesame Workshop and Turner International India have teamed up to co-produce Sesame Street in India. The development phase of the Sesame India was provided through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICICI Bank.
Sesame Workshop had launched its Indian operations in August 2004. The series that will feature new Indian Muppet characters, locally produced live action and animation segments, and classic Seasame Street moments with Elmo, Cookie Monster and the rest of the gang.
The series will make its debut in 2006. According to a company release, the series will be distributed on multiple platform across India.
A research team comprising Indian educators, media programmers and child development experts and producers will bring in an innovative curriculum.
According to an official communique, the country’s rich cultural diversity will also be reflected in the music, live action and animation segments.
In the first season, Sesame India will be in Hindi, though some English words and simple phrases will be incorporated into the series. The innovative series will subsequently be available in other languages, informs the media release.
In addition to the TV series, a Sesame India radio program and outreach materials, including posters and flashcards, will be distributed in both urban and rural areas.
Sesame Workshop’s president and CEO Gary E Knell as quoted says, “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to create innovative engaging content that maximizes the educational power of media to help children reach their highest potential.”
“As with all our adaptations, we are now working with local experts to identify Indian children’s issues and how to best address them on-and off-air. We’re thrilled to work with Turner, the undisputed leader in Indian kids’ television, to build a long-term presence and to together serve the children of the amazing Indian sub-continent,” says Knell.
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.
