GECs
Star Gold to get new look from 3 November
MUMBAI: If there is one factor that is a constant in the broadcast sector it is change. With viewership increasingly getting fragmented if a channel doesn’t keep up with the times it runs the risk of losing eyeballs and stagnating. Keeping this in mind the Star Group is all set to revamp its Star Gold channel from 3 November.
After three years of pushing itself as the channel for the Bollywood buff nostalgic for the hits of yesteryear the channel has finally decided that it is time to move on. This is not surprising considering that black and white films are available in a limited quantity and most viewers especially those in the crucial 25-35 age group want films that have a contemporary feel that they can easily identify with. Earlier the channel used to target those over the age of 35.
One of the major attractions viewers can now look forward to is popular Hollywood films shown in the national language. These will air every Saturday from 9 November at 8 pm. They straddle genres from comedy Chocolat, martials arts Fists of Fury and suspense thriller Rich Mans wife. The concept is innovative and should help the channel notch up healthy ratings as Star Gold is the first Hindi channel to zoom in on the concept.
Modern Hindi blockbusters that one can look forward to include Biwi No 1, Raja Hindustani, Raaz, and Ajnabee. The new look also extends to the music programmes, quiz shows which will feature tunes and questions from the 1990’s.
The channel is also looking to target different sections of viewers. So a woman’s slot will be introduced in the afternoon. There will also be a kids slot once a week.
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.
