GECs
Shiv Sena threat on Gaurav telecast: Zee stands firm
MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms has turned down Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray’s request to refrain from telecasting Zee Gaurav Awards. Zee Telefilms VP Ashish Kaul said the event would be telecast on 11 February in its original version as per schedule.
“Zee Marathi will telecast Zee Gaurav Awards as per schedule. There is no change in plans,” Kaul told indiantelevision.com just one hour ahead of the award telecast.
Zee Marathi has slotted the Zee Gaurav Awards telecast in the 7:30 pm slot. The ground event was originally held on 5 February. The satire drama Kaka Mala Vachva, presented as part of the event, was reportedly a take-off on the Raj-Uddhav war.
Enraged by the spoof, the Shiv Sainiks vandalised the security office of Zee News at Lower Parel on 8 February. Two days later, on 10 February, the alleged Shiv Sena activists assaulted a television crew of Sahara Samay outside Bhoiwada court where the nine activists arrested on the Zee office ransacking case were produced.
Kaul added that, Zee was yet to receive an opinion from Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on the spoof that irritated Shiv Sena. “We had sent him a copy of the satire drama. But there is no response from him yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zee today got an ally in the estranged Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray. Raj, in a Press meet, blasted the Sena for vandalising the Zee office and threatening the channel against the telecast of the show. He termed the attack on the broadcaster as unfortunate and a blow to the freedom of press.
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.
