GECs
Shemaroo appoints Swati Darekar as head of programming- Hindi GEC
Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment, a leading media and entertainment conglomerate in India, has announced the appointment of Swati Darekar as the head of programming- Hindi GEC (General Entertainment Channel). In this role, Darekar will spearhead the content strategy for the Shemaroo Hindi GEC cluster, aligning with overall broadcast business objectives. Leading the conceptualisation, development and execution of content for Shemaroo TV & Shemaroo Umang, Swati will lead a team of content creators to produce engaging and relevant content that resonates with the target audience.
Darekar is a seasoned professional in the General Entertainment Channel domain with a proven track record in creating and curating content that resonates with diverse audiences. Prior to joining Shemaroo, she has played pivotal role as Fiction Head (Vice President HME Content) at Colors (Viacom18), contributing significantly to the success of shows like ‘Barrister Babu,’ ‘Nima Denzongpa,”Savi Ki Savaari’ and the recently launched show ‘Doree.’ Her illustrious career includes a significant tenure as Creative Director (Vice President Content) at Sony Entertainment Television (Sony Pictures Networks), steering the success of shows like ‘Mere Sai’ and ‘Patiala Babes.’ Before Sony, Swati made notable contributions as Creative Director (Vice President- Fiction Programming) at Star Plus (Disney Star), shaping iconic shows like ‘Diya aur Baati Hum,’ ‘Saraswatichandra,’ ‘Tamanna’ amongst others.
Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd COO of Broadcasting Business Sandeep Gupta, expressed his delight about the appointment, stating, “We are excited to have Swati Darekar join our team as the Head of Programming- Hindi GEC. Her wealth of experience and creative acumen align perfectly with Shemaroo’s commitment to delivering engaging content. With Swati leading our programming efforts, we are confident in achieving new milestones and offering captivating experiences to our viewers.”
This strategic move reinforces Shemaroo Entertainment’s dedication to excellence and innovation in the ever-evolving entertainment industry.
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.
