GECs
SPE appoints three vice chairmen
CALIFORNIA: In a move geared to solidify and streamline operations and further a collaborative management process at the company, a new management structure has been announced by Chairman and CEO Sony Pictures Entertainment John Calley,
Chairman, Columbia Pictures, Amy Pascal, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group Jeff Blake and President, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment Yair Landau have been promoted to Vice Chairmen, Sony Pictures Entertainment. As Vice-Chairmen of SPE, they share all day-to-day responsibilities formerly reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, while retaining their current roles and titles within their divisions. All three report to Calley.
Calley said, ” Amy’s motion picture slate is the strongest in industry history. Jeff is widely regarded as the best there is in the distribution business and he’s turned around our marketing operation. Yair is successfully leading our way into the digital future. My goal is to let the division heads flourish with the degree of autonomy they deserve while establishing an atmosphere where there is a constant flow of information between the various parts of our massive operation.”
Pascal, a 13-year veteran of Columbia Pictures, has held the post of Chairman since December 1999. Under Pascal’s guidance, Columbia Pictures has enjoyed record-breaking success with such films as Spider-Man (biggest opening weekend ever and 5th largest domestic grossing film of all time), Men in Black II,, the Adam Sandler comedy Mr. Deeds and Panic Room..
Yair Landau is President of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE) which combines SPE’s digital production with its online content and game services to deliver the next generation of entertainment, including the development and production of original computer-generated (CG) animated feature films. Landau, a 10 year veteran of SPE, previously served as Executive VP Corporate Development and Strategic Planning.
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.
