GECs
Space, Sun to get DTH LoIs in ‘day or two’
NEW DELHI: Star India’s long wait for the launch of a direct-to-home service in India looks finally to be coming to an end.
The decks have all but been cleared for the issuance of letters of intent (LoI) to two DTH applications pending with the information and broadcasting ministry. Space TV, the Tata Sons and Star group 80:20 joint venture and the Sun Group’s proposed DTH platform Sun DirectTV
The newly appointed Information and Broadcasting secretary S K Arora confirmed today that his ministry would be issuing “in a day or two” letters of intent relating to the DTH licence of Space TV and Sun DirectTV. The scrutiny “process is complete” as all queries have been satisfactorily answered by the applicants, Arora said.
This ends a long and tortuous wait for Star in particular, which has been in quest of a DTH licence since 2002.
The LoI will be the first step en route for ‘okaying’ the DTH venture. With the LoI in hand, the applicants can formally go ahead.
The applicants have to deposit Rs 100 million on receiving the LoI, after which another set of clearances will fall in place.
It may be recalled that the earlier Space TV application had to be made afresh in 2003 as the government was of the opinion that the Indian partnership was more of a dummy.
Of course, no such issues confronted Sun TV supremo Kalanithi Maran in regard to his Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd.
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.
