GECs
Sony tactics fail to dent ‘Kahaani…’ supremacy, asserts Star
MUMBAI: The first salvo was fired and now its time for the smart retort as the battle between the numero uno general entertainment channel – Star Plus and the clear number two – Sony Entertainment Television continues…Yesterday, in a report published on indiantelevision.com – ‘Sony tweaks timings to give Ye Meri Life Hai a boost’, it was mentioned how Sony had made a ‘slight’ strategic change in its schedule to increase stickiness for Ye Meri Life Hai (YMLH) and to prevent viewers from migrating to Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii on Star Plus after Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahi.
Star Plus has fired its riposte and asserts that despite all the tactics adopted by Sony, there has been barely a ripple on the ratings charts and Kahaani… continues to rule in its slot by many a yard!
As for the “timing tweaks”, Star officials quote Tam data to show that the telecast time for YMLH has been erratic during the launch week, contrary to Sonys claim of strategically starting it earlier than 10 pm. Two episodes of YMLH started at 10.03 pm in the first week of its launch, say the officials.
A detailed minute-by-minute Tam analysis of both the channels during the crucial 10 pm slot on 3 May (the day YMLH was launched), reveals that Kahaani… got a TVR of 10.2 in the CS 4+ years segment thus perching at the seventh position in the Top 100 shows in the Tam ratings in week 19. Whereas YMLH failed to make its presence felt in the charts on the day of its launch.
Also a clear drop was seen in Sony ratings as soon as YMLH started, irrespective of the start time. YMLH’s low launch ratings dropped even lower in week two according to the data made available.
Tracked over the two weeks – from 2 May to 13 May, (the latter was incidentally the final day of the elections); the Tam data shows that Kahaani… maintained an unswerving upper hand over YMLH. On 13 May, Kahaani… garnered TVRs of 8.2 managing the 11th position on the charts despite the fact the viewers were glued to news channels and the overall channel share of general entertainment channels fell on that particular day.
While the battle continues and innovations by rival channels become top priority, Kahaani… sits comfortably cushioned in its perch. But the message that Sony is sending across is that it is ready and willing to make a fight of it. The real question however, is whether it is in for the long haul. And if so, just how long will that haul be?
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.
