GECs
Sony Pal to bring curtains down on existing shows
MUMBAI: The media industry is abuzz with rumours. And the target this time around is Sony Pal, the newly launched channel from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable. If rumours are to be believed, the channel, which went on air on 1 September 2014, has already sent notices to producers and actors of the existing shows to wrap up by 13 February.
When quizzed about the rumours, Sony Pal and Sab TV senior EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor told Indiantelevision.com, “We are currently drafting a press release, and the official statement will come in the morning. You will know the exact status then.”
As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the channel had said that it would be revamping its content owing to the failure of a few of its shows, which did not connect with its target audience. By the end of December, Sony Pal was airing only four shows, of the nine that it had launched with.
The nine offerings were Simply Baatein produced by GR8 Entertainment and anchored by Raveena Tandon, Dil Hain Chota Sa Choti Si Asha, produced by SOL Productions and hosted by Ragini Khanna and Jay Soni, Shashi Productions’ Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi, Miloni Films’ Khushiyon Ki Gullakh Aashi, Singhasan Battisi by Creative Eye, Pia Basanti Re by Rashmi Sharma and Pawan Kumar, Tum Sath Ho Jab Apne produced by Sphere Origins, Sister Didi by DJ’s Creative Unit and Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain by Balaji Telefilms.
The channel had slashed its three and a half hours of original content to two hours starting from primetime 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The current running shows include Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain, Singhasan Battisi, Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi and Sister Didi.
A producer on condition of anonymity said, “Yes, the channel is undergoing a revamp and it will be back with new shows, post the Indian Premiere League.”
Many in the industry feel that Sony Pal was unable to differentiate its content from the network’s flagship channel – Sony Entertainment Television. “The channel could come back with a more segmented content with a hope to catch viewers’ attention,” added a media planner.
Kapoor, in an earlier interview to this website, had said, “When we went out checking with our core TG (women GEC viewers) to what they found right and not right with the channel in terms of content, the consumers came up with very interesting answers which threw some pointers on what core corrections were required.”
“We are soon going to come back in the same slots, which have been shut down with new programmes in terms of dailies and with consumer feedback on-board. Hopefully, this time around we will go to the next level. We are going to come back with exact consumer expectations as they have articulated after viewing the channel,” he had said.
Rumours are also rife that post the revamp, Sony Pal could move from being a pay channel to becoming a free to air channel.
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.
