GECs
Sony goes the activist way with the launch of ‘Rihhaee’
MUMBAI: Star Movies has renewed the live and exclusive broadcast rights to The Annual Academy Awards for India and Taiwan from 2005 to 2010.
NEW DELHI: In a true Marlon Brando style (the Godfather did not want to do the role of Don Corleone as he didnt want to glorify the mafia), SET India EVP Tarun Katial explained that his company was not glorifying crime, but just highlighting the ills in the society through programmes like Rihhaee as already reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com..
The BAG-produced serial, which goes on air at a late night slot of 10.30 pm from 9 February, is based on crimes against women. No wonder, the press conference to announce the series launch on Sony was attended by Delhi CM Shiela Dixit, social activist Nafisa Ali and activist lawyer Indira Jaisingh, all of whom pointed out how crimes against women is on the rise in the Indian society and need to be tackled urgently, but delicately because of the sensitivities involved.
Television with cause,is how BAG Films MD Anurradha Prasad described the series, which is in line with Sonys social responsibility as a corporate house.
Pointing out that Sony has always supported programmes like Bhanvar (based on real life legal cases) Missing (hosted by film actor Jackie Shroff) and Crime Files to highlight the seedy sides of society and also help in justice being carried out in some way or other, Katial said,At one time, we were even trying to call Rihhaee (freedom) Bhanvar II.
Sony and BAG are also looking at roping in other activist women personalities like Member of Parliament Shabana Azmi and some non-governmental organisations to endorse the new bi-weekly series.This would be part of a marketing strategy for Rihhaee, which would also include the other normal avenues that we adopt for promoting a new programme, Katial said.
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.
