Movie Channels
Sony MAX to premiere Sabbir Khan’s ‘Adbhut’ as first direct-to-TV film
Mumbai: After the recent box office success of horror-supernatural movies such as Shaitaan, Stree 2 and Munjya, Sony MAX is set to make history with the highly anticipated supernatural thriller and Sony MAX Original Release: Adbhut as a Direct-to-TV Release, ushering a new era in Bollywood.
Directed by Sabbir Khan and starring the critically acclaimed Nawazuddin Siddiqui, alongside Diana Penty, Shreya Dhanwanthary and Rohan Mehra, Adbhut promises to deliver a spine-chilling experience that will enthrall audiences nationwide. The film, produced by Sony Pictures International Productions and Sabbir Khan Films, explores a world where the supernatural collides with reality.
This signals a new era for television, positioning it as a formidable platform for high-profile film releases.
Adbhut director Sabbir Khan said, “Television has always been a powerful medium in India, reaching millions of homes across the country. With Adbhut, we are not just releasing a film; we are penetrating across crores of Indian households all at once. We are making history by embracing a new model that puts the audience first.”
Lead actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui said, “Adbhut is a film that pushes boundaries, not just in its story but in how it’s being shared with the world. It’s exciting to see a film reach millions of people at once through television. The supernatural genre has always intrigued me, and I believe audiences will find the experience both thrilling and thought-provoking. With this direct-to-TV release, we’re breaking new ground, and I’m proud to be a part of this historic moment.”
Sony MAX head – programming & on-air promotions Udayan Pradeep Shukla commented, “In a rapidly changing world, it’s crucial to innovate and adapt. Sony MAX Original Release: Adbhut is our statement of intent that quality content should be accessible to everyone, and the unparalleled reach of television offers the perfect stage for such a monumental event on Sony MAX.”
This strategic release is set to create waves across the industry, starting a trend where television can potentially become a viable platform for major film releases – so far driven by OTT. This is expected to redefine how audiences consume blockbuster content, making high-quality entertainment more accessible than ever before. Adbhut stands at the forefront of change, heralding a new dawn for television as the ultimate platform for the new wave of cinema that will follow in 2024.
Movie Channels
Zee5 launches five free FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India
New genre-led channels bring comedy, drama, horror, classics and South films to Smart TVs.
MUMBAI: Zee5 just turned Samsung Smart TVs into a free entertainment buffet because when premium content costs nothing, even the remote control starts smiling. Zee5 has launched five curated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus India, making high-quality, genre-specific entertainment available subscription-free to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners across the country.
The five channels now live are:
Zee Comedy Nation – Popular comedy shows and movies
Zee Dil Se – Compelling drama series
ZEE Horror Nights – Horror and supernatural content
ZEE Cine Classic – Timeless Indian films
ZEE South Flix – High-energy South Indian films dubbed in Hindi
All content is drawn from Zee5’s extensive library and programmed in a lean-back, always-on format ideal for large-screen viewing. This launch strengthens Zee5’s Connected TV strategy at a time when 64 per cent of its premium content watch time already comes from connected devices.
Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said, “At Zee5, we believe accessibility and scale will define the next phase of digital entertainment growth in India. Our presence on Samsung TV Plus strengthens our Connected TV strategy, enabling viewers to discover curated, genre-led content in a seamless, free, and premium environment.”
Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta added, “Local partnerships are at the heart of how we grow Samsung TV Plus in India. Zee Entertainment is one of India’s most iconic media brands, and bringing their channels to our service means millions more Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy premium local content, subscription-free.”
The channels are available directly through the pre-installed Samsung TV Plus app with no login or subscription required. This marks another milestone in Zee5’s CTV expansion and builds on its growing international presence, with Zee channels already available on Samsung TV Plus across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In a streaming world where paywalls often block the fun, Zee5 and Samsung have quietly opened the gates, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and on your TV) really are free especially when they come with a side of comedy, drama, horror, classics and South Indian blockbuster energy.
