GECs
Sony takes audiences to the crossroads with new show
MUMBAI: After being a leader in introducing mythological shows, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is taking a different route. The channel’s latest offering is Zindagi ke Crossroads, a 39-episodic interactive show where the studio audiences will put forward their opinions on the challenges faced by the protagonists of the show.
Produced by Shabina Khan, it will premiere on 6 June 2018, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8.30 pm. Television actor Ram Kapoor will be the host who will not just encourage the audience to share their views but will also delve into the ‘whys’ of their decision making to bring alive the melting pot of opinions in the audience for the narratives showcased. The question thrown open to the audience will be “what would you have done if you were at this crossroad?” The idea is to get families to sit tight on the couch.
Mahadev, who is the concept and screenplay writer of the show, narrated the concept to Khan after which she realised it is an appropriate show for the times. It has been in planning mode for two years.
The investment for the show is close to Rs 75-80 lakh. Sony head of non-fiction Ashish Golwalkar said, “There is no amortisation. Generally, you have one set and you’ll shoot everything in that, but that is not possible. This story demands different locations and places and that is why the cost goes up as far as fiction shows are concerned.”
Commenting on the promotional and marketing strategy, Sony EVP and business head Danish Khan said that SET will be using digital and multimedia platforms to promote the show. “The important thing is to convey to the people what the format is and it is very difficult to convey the format unless we sample it, so what we are communicating is, this is the story, this is the protagonist and this is the crossroad, what would you do if you are in the protagonist’s place?”
Golwalkar said that the format of the show is very tough to explain and since it is a chat show, people will typecast it very soon. “Our focus will obviously be on airing it on our channels, also Dus ka Dum will air on Monday and Tuesday, so we will run promos there as well.”
Given the other fast-paced and action-oriented shows on air today, it will be worthwhile to see how the audience will react to such a programme.
Also Read :
Is it the end of the road for anime in India?
‘Bigg Boss’ holds appeal across languages: Viacom18’s Ravish Kumar
Will launch two OTTs before end of this year: Discovery India’s Karan Bajaj
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.
