GECs
Shareholder files lawsuit against Viacom & CBS over Sumner Redstone’s pay
MUMBAI: Investors targeted Viacom Inc and filed a lawsuit against Viacom and CBS’s boards on 19 January, alleging the companies improperly paid millions to executive chairman Sumner Redstone while he was physically and mentally incapacitated.
Redstone’s health issues were heightened after his ex-girlfriend Manuela Herzer filed a lawsuit that raised doubts about the billionaire’s competence. Redstone’s lawyers have maintained that he is in full control of making decisions.
The new shareholder lawsuit, filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, says payments to Redstone “for services not rendered” amounted to bad faith by the two boards and also says the Viacom board misrepresented Redstone’s deteriorated physical and mental condition in a January 2015 proxy statement.
The Redstone controversy began last fall when his ex-girlfriend was thrown off his advance healthcare directive and escorted out of his sprawling hilltop estate. She sued, contending the mogul was in no position to make such decisions.
Redstone named Viacom chief executive Philippe Dauman as his new healthcare agent. Dauman filed a motion on 15 January in a New York court to stop his deposition in connection with Herzer’s case.
As per media reports, an attorney for Herzer had no immediate comment on Dauman’s filing. Herzer’s attorney has previously said she sued solely over concern for Redstone’s health.
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.
