GECs
Uday Shankar elected FICCI VP for 2018-19
MUMBAI: Adding another feather to his cap, 21st Century Fox Asia president and Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar has been elected as the vice president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for 2018-19.
He has recently been appointed chairman of Star and Disney India and president of the Walt Disney Company, Asia-Pacific, a role that he will take over after the takeover of 21CF by Disney takes place. He is the first ever Indian media and entertainment executive to assume the leadership position in a national industry chamber like FICCI.
A trend-setter in the media and entertainment industry for over two decades, he played a leadership role in making Star India one of the largest media & entertainment companies in India, reaching over 720 million viewers a month across the country and more than 100 other countries.
He has been a leading voice in the Indian media and broadcasting sector, shaping reforms for the industry and its consumers. As chairman of the FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee and former president of the Indian Broadcasting Federation, he has been at the forefront of landmark changes in self-regulation and pushing access for consumers to the digitised distribution.
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.
