GECs
Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea meets Raj Nayak whose mind is made up
MUMBAI: Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea met up with Star India executive vice-president sales and marketing Raj Nayak in the afternoon yesterday to review the situation that has arisen out of his reported resignation from the network.
Raj Nayak: will he stay?
According to sources, Nayak’s mind is made up and he is definitely leaving. Even after two meetings with Mukerjea.
And he is expected to stay on at least for another three to four months until he wraps up all the business deals he was working on. Sources indicate that Nayak is extremely keen on leaving Star on an even healthier wicket on his departure, ensuring that his successor finds the going easy so that Star continues to rule the Hindi entertainment channel roast.
One of the oldest veterans in Star TV’s India’s operations, Nayak had, over the past three to four years, built up a very strong ad sales team, building up on something that Mukerjea himself had been instrumental in setting up when he headed the ad sales function at Star India (then News Television India).
Nayak is believed to be interested in setting up his own venture in the area of air time and media consulting.
Sources indicate that Star’s head office in Hong Kong is likely to also try and convince Nayak to stay put today and tomorrow.
Nayak built up a reputation as a professional who dared to lift the bar as far as rates for television air time are concerned at the Star Network with which he was employed for more than nine years. Today TV spots on Star Plus’ top notch shows Kyuunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki sell at around Rs 1.56 million for 30 seconds.
Nayak is part of the crack core senior Star Network management team which includes Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea and current COO Sameer Nair which took Star Plus to the top of the Indian charts.
Read earlier story on Nayak’s reported resignation
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.
