GECs
TV18, Sony Pictures India announce new channel rates
MUMBAI: Days after Zee announced its new tariff rates, TV18 Broadcast and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have also made public their own rates, in accordance with TRAI tariff rules.
IndiaCast, the authorised distributing agency of TV18 channels, has updated the new format based Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) on its website. This updated RIO will be effective for the term commencing from 29 December 2018. SPNI has also published its new RIO on its website.
All TV18 channels will be available on an a-la-carte basis, as required by regulations. The a-la-carte rate of all SD & HD channels is under Rs 19 per month. The maximum retail price (MRP) of the basic bouquet for Hindi speaking market (HSM) named as Hindi Base starts at Rs 36 which includes Colors, MTV, Rishtey and CNN News 18. The Hindi Ultra pack has been priced at Rs 58. There’s an India Base pack which includes important channels from all regions and each genre at Rs 79.
The broadcaster has announced multiple bouquets for several regional markets including base and ultra-pack both in SD and HD. Karnataka Base pack will cost Rs 53, while Maharashtra Base pack price has been fixed at Rs 45 and Bengal Base at Rs 41.
SPNI is also providing a total of 32 channels including SD and HD on a-la-carte basis at under Rs 19 per month.
SPNI has also declared ten bouquets concentrating on different regional markets as well along with focusing on its premium channels. The base pack BST Regular pack has been fixed at Rs 55 while its variants of regional languages are priced higher. SPN Blockbuster Pack priced at Rs 86.4 includes SET, Sony Yay!, Sony BBC Earth and ESPN. The Blockbuster pack also has variants with Bengali and Marathi languages.
Two different packs focusing on the South Indian market are also available. The Big HD pack with all HD channels is priced at Rs 116 where Sony Marathi HD is proposed to be launched in place of TEN Golf HD. While the viewers of HD channels are growing slowly but gradually, two HD bouquets, one for South, are also available.
The deadline given by TRAI was 31 August for publication of RIO, declaration of MRP and nature of channels, in connection with its tariff order. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) was the only broadcaster to publish its RIO before the given deadline.
Star India is the only big broadcaster which has not filed its ROI yet. The broadcaster is also one of the main petitioners against the TRAI tariff and interconnect order which will now be heard on 5 September by the Supreme Court.
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.
