GECs
Star ready to go head-to-head with Sony
MUMBAI: Its official now. Star has declared war on Sony Entertainment Television and the viewers will get ringside seats as the two channels fight it out over who will rule the weekend.
If Sony’s honchos had any doubts about how their gameshow “Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke” hosted by the irrepressible Govinda was doing Star’s response should put them at ease.
Star, which has enjoyed an amazing run since the launch in July of its hit gameshow “Kaun Banega Crorepati” hosted by Bollywood’s Big B Amitabh Bachchan, seems to be feeling the heat of competition and is going all out to put a spoke in Sony’s wheel.
Riding on the success of last Saturday’s special episode in aid of victims of the Gujarat earthquake where cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and filmstar Madhuri Dixit Nene were invited, Star says it will have more such shows.
Star India CEO Peter Mukherjea, quoted in the Economic Times on Saturday, has said: “Yes, we intend hitting Sony head-on with more special KBC programmes. Sony is strong on weekends and we can’t let them occupy that space.” Mukherjea said Star would not be reworking its normal 9 pm-10pm, Monday-to-Thursday schedule but is in the process of devising a strategy of extending KBC on weekends too with special events and celebrity shows. That is not all though. Star is also in the process of devising a strategy of increasing viewer interest in KBC on normal weekdays, which appears to be flagging.
Lucky draws for viewers and specials where couples will be allowed to participate form part of the strategy to pack them in again, Star’s corporate communications head, Yash Khanna said.
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.
