GECs
Sony steps into southern markets with regional-first play
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has formally set its sights on southern India, unveiling a leadership realignment that sharpens its entry into the region as part of a broader strategic reset.
The move comes under a refreshed operating model designed to reposition SPNI as a content-first, platform-agnostic and multilingual entertainment company, with the South identified as a key growth engine. Rajaraman Sundaram has been tasked with leading the company’s regional expansion across southern markets, consolidating Sony’s ambitions in one of India’s most competitive entertainment theatres.
Southern India has emerged as a powerhouse for language-led storytelling, commanding strong television loyalty, rising OTT consumption and sustained advertiser interest. Sony’s push signals a shift away from national, Hindi-led templates towards deeper regional engagement built around local creators, formats and commissioning strategies.
Sundaram joined SPNI last year as head of content strategy, where he helped shape the network’s programming and long-term content roadmap. His expanded mandate places execution firmly in focus as Sony looks to build scale and relevance across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada ecosystems.
He brings extensive regional experience to the role, having held senior leadership positions at Viacom18, including EVP and business head of Colors Tamil, and earlier at Asianet, one of the South’s leading general entertainment networks. He also spent over a year at Disney Star in a network-level strategy role, gaining exposure to country-wide operations.
The southern push comes amid wider organisational changes at SPNI, as Sony recalibrates its portfolio to compete in an increasingly crowded broadcast and streaming market where language, culture and speed matter more than size alone.
With leadership aligned and the South firmly in its sights, Sony is making its bet clear: India’s next entertainment battleground will be regional—and it intends to arrive prepared.
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.
