GECs
SET aims for No. 1 perch on subscription revenues
MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television has set itself an ambitious agenda for the year ahead on the distribution front. By the end of this fiscal, it aims to become the number one network as far as subscription revenues are concerned.
This the brief that Shantonu Aditya, SET’s senior vice-president franchise channels & distribution has before him. Says Aditya: “One of the objectives for the year ahead is to set benchmarks and standards for ourselves. To be the Number 1 network. This doesn’t mean just subscription revenue collections. It includes customer care and the institution of systems and processes which bring a high level of professionalism into the way we function. We are investing a lot in training our people as well in building relationships with our affiliates.”
While Aditya was not willing to offer any revenue targets, SET will at least have to cross what Star India is expected to take in this year at the current network subscription rate of Rs 40.50, which according to industry sources is about Rs 2500 million.
Obviously it helps that SET has bagged the telecast rights to all ICC designated one day international cricket, including the next two cricket World Cups over the next six years which is what will be the pivot on which the drive forward will be executed. Then there is the “quality package” that is the “One Alliance” – what the distribution joint venture between SET and Discovery is called. The JV is identical to the one that Zee Telefilms and Turner India formed last December as far as the stake breakup is concerned. Sony has a 74 per cent stake and Discovery holds 26 per in the JV.
Aditya, who is also president of the Sony Discovery JV, elaborated on the “One Alliance” subscription packages on offer thus:
| Any one of the four channels SET, SET MAX, AXN or Discovery – Rs 36 |
| Any one of the two channels CNBC India or Animal Planet – Rs 15 |
| Any two channels – Rs 36.50 |
| Any three channels – Rs 37 |
| Any four channels – Rs 38 |
| The full six-channel package – Rs 40 |
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.
