GECs
US bodies to start TV channels in Baghdad
WASHINGTON: The US government’s broadcasting board of governors (BBG) is planning to set up a new Baghdad TV channel to air Arabic captioned broadcasts of US news programmes. This follows the US military’s plans to establish its own broadcasting facilities on the ground in Baghdad this weekend. The US military has been broadcasting TV and radio into Iraq from a C-130 plane dubbed Commando Solo.
The move is also a prelude to US government’s planned December launch of the Mideast Television Network, an Arabic-language satellite TV operation.
The BBG, a semi-autonomous unit of the US State Department has plans to include broadcasts from the NBC Nightly News ; the ABC Evening News ; the CBS Evening News ; PBS’s News Hour; and the Fox News Special Report . Along with American TV newscasts, the new Iraqi channel, which is expected to air five or six hours of nightly programming, will also carry two hours of news from Radio Sawa.
The BBG is seeking help from the US Congress which is expected to approve the initial $3 million needed to jump-start the project as per an adage report which has quoted Westwood One and BBG Middle east committee chairman Norman J. Pattiz.
Aside from overseeing operations of the Voice of America, the BBG also runs Radio Sawa, which beams music and information at youth in Arab countries.
The channel won’t contain advertising and will also broadcast complete unedited shows.
On its proposed channel, the US military station will initially carry entertainment shows interspersed with news clips and informational messages about where to get supplies or how to avoid dangerous areas, according to US Central Command spokesman first Lt. Josh Rushing.
Lt. Rushing added that more Iraqis have access to radio There was also a report of plans by the military to start a newspaper for Iraqis.
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.
