GECs
UTV looking at putting four lifestyle shows on air this year
MUMBAI: One television genre that is catching on in the country is the lifestyle brand. Last year Discovery had launched the Discovery Travel and Living channel. Zoom also launched from the Times stable. Production house UTV is looking to take advantage of this trend.
Speaking last evening to Indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a shoot for BBC World’s Business Bites UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvalla said, “We are looking at putting on at least four lifestyle shows this year. We are doing a project for Sahara. Overall we do about 22 hours of programming a week. This is the second largest in terms of output that any Indian television producer does. In that mix non-fiction constitutes about four hours. We are also talking to Star regarding doing a lifestyle show.”
Screwvalla added that it was important for UTV to break the mould as far as lifestyle programming is concerned. It is therefore looking to go beyond the page three phenomenon. “I however don’t believe that the lifestyle segment will mature in 2005. Maturing takes time. As a genre it is quite new. Even Hindi films are taking time to mature from just being about pure entertainment. The audience may not immediately take to lifestyle shows but it does not mean that you don’t do it. If you continuously produce a high level of output they will take to it over a period of time.”
KEY USPs OF ‘BUSINESS BITES’ ARE RESEARCH, INFORMAL SETTING: SCREWVALA
Talking about the BBC show, Screwvalla said that during conceptualisation the aim was to make the show very different from the other talk shows and business based shows on Indian television. “We wanted the talk to happen between two competitors in the same sector. This way we can discuss the challenges happening. We were also looking for a different setting.”
“That is why we decided not to do it in a normal studio surrounding. We did not want a formal look. In an informal setting like a restaurant you are able to get a lot of issues out. The basic premise is that business when it is transacted over an informal occasion like lunch or dinner you tend to build bigger bridges and have a much more healthier relationship. The format has not been changed since we started out. We have gone industry by industry.”
Screwvalla added that as it was a BBC show the production values by necessity have to be high. “We are careful about picking the restaurant. While we talk about five or six core issues spread over 16 or 17 questions there is a tremendous amount of research that goes into each episode. We have a research team.”
“While I am generally aware about the sectors by and large what happens is that I have about 300 pages of research to just glance through. It gives me a very good idea about the industry. From there I narrow down my thoughts and discuss issues.”
“The research done along with the informal setting are the two things that set the show apart from other talk shows and business programmes. Also when you watch the programme every week you get different perspectives. You get a layman’s view in a half an hour snapshot. Otherwise you would get a more high tech discussion. Our discussions are more broader.”
UTV also has another show for the BBC called Back To The Floor. This sees a CEO going back to the basic level. “This is not a mock kid of thing. It is very participatory. The CEO gets to see what is right and what is wrong about basic systems and processes. We are also doing a show for National Georgraphic. This takes a look at stunt men. We also have two game shows on Hungama. One is a cricket show while the other is set on a giant wheel. These are the kinds of formats we are working on as far as non fiction is concerned.”
Business Bites airs every Sunday at 11 am on BBC World with a repeat the same day at 10 pm.
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.
