GECs
Sony reports decline in 3Q film, games revenue
MUMBAI: Sony has announced consolidated results for the third quarter that ended 31 December 2003. In the motion pictures segment the sales decreased compared with the same quarter of the prior year due to a decrease in home entertainment revenues.
The sales and operating revenue saw a decline of 29.3 per cent to Y181.2 from Y256.3 in the corresponding quarter in 2002. Results were negatively impacted by the disappointing US theatrical performance of Ron Howard’s western The Missing. The home video segment meanwhile missed a big ticket item like Spiderman. Overall however the sales and operating revenue saw a marginal 0.7 per cent increase to Y2,307.7
Sales in the game segment decreased due to decreased sales of hardware, although sales of software increased.
On a more positive note operating income increased in the music segment, primarily due to benefits realised from restructuring activities. The operating income here saw an increase of over 50 per cent. Sales for the US operations increased by six per cent. Album sales increased due to higher sales outside the US. Also helping the situation was the appreciation of European currencies.
During the quarter, Sony and Bertelsmann AG announced that they had signed a binding agreement to combine their recorded music businesses in a joint venture. The newly formed company, which will be known as Sony BMG, will be 50 per cent owned by each parent company. It will not include Sony Music’s music publishing, physical distribution and disc manufacturing businesses or Sony Music Japan. The merger is subject to regulatory approvals in the US and the European Union.
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.
