Movie Channels
Sony Pictures bolsters international production team with dual hires
MUMBAI: In two new hires that bolster Sony Pictures Entertainment’s moves to expand the creation of international films and television for worldwide markets, the studio has named Diego Suarez as senior vice president, international television production, and Matthew Stein as vice president, international film production.
The duo will report to Sony Pictures Entertainment president of international film and television Sanford Panitch.
In their new roles, Suarez and Stein will acquire and develop both local and international film and television content with key international production partners.
Panitch said, “Diego Suarez is for me the definition of the modern international television executive with his wide-ranging experience at both the studio level and in the international channel business. We see tremendous opportunity in producing both international and local language television content, and we are thrilled to have Diego join the team. In Matt Stein, we get a resourceful film executive with a well-trained background in overseeing smartly budgeted film franchises. He will be an asset in further igniting our local production activities, and in finding internationally oriented films for the world.”
Suarez comes to SPE from Fox21 Television Studios, where he was senior vice president, creative affairs. Some of the projects Suarez brought in to the studio include The Queen of the South to air on USA in January 2016, as well as Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, based on the 1988 hit film from Pedro Almodovar, and Hamelin, written by award-winning Spanish filmmaker Paco Plaza.
Prior to his tenure at Fox21, Suarez served stints at Fox International Channels, Italy; Spain’s television production companies Boca Boca Producciones; and at Cuatrocabezas (Eyeworks).
On the other hand, Stein joins SPE after most recently serving as independent producer on a variety of feature film projects. Prior, Stein held the role of executive vice president of Production at Dimension Films, where he oversaw production and development for the company.
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.
