GECs
Star acquires 100 per cent stake in Channel [V]
MUMBAI: From today, Channel [V] is wholly a Star subsidiary.
The Hong Kong-based Star TV, a unit of media baron Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp Ltd, today announced that it has acquired the remaining 12.5 per cent of Channel [V] from media group EMI.
Speaking about the acquisition Star communications head Yash Khanna said: ” It is a natural progression of ownership. While we were holding 87.5 per cent stake in the company, it was just a matter of time before we had the remaining 12.5 per cent as well.”
Channel [V] was set up as a joint venture between EMI, Sony Corp., BMG and Warner Music in 1994, with each partner owning 12.5 per cent of the company share. Almost five years later Star began buying its partners out.
According to Khanna, the acquisition of the remaining 12.5 per cent was always on the cards. He asserted that there would be no changes, as of now, in either the programming strategy or the channel staff.
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.
