GECs
Vikas Varma joins UTV as COO television conten
MUMBAI: UTV today announced the appointment of Vikas Varma as chief operating officer (COO) for its television content division. The appointment comes almost 10 months after the former COO Manish Popat “was asked to go” in July 2003.
Varma was formerly with Touché Communications as MD and has 16 years of advertising and entertainment expertise both in the brand building and advertising space.
Varma has wide-ranging experience spanning 16 years in advertising and media and has worked with top ad agencies such as Frank Simoes Advertising, Madison Advertising and Touché Communications in the capacity of MD. He has been instrumental in strategising for and launching a number of durable, FMCG and entertainment brands during the course of his career.
Varma who has launched a number of TV serials and shows like Movers & Shakers and Chappad Phaad Ke among others was been involved in the launch of events like Ms World 1996 and Madhuri’s Secrets of Emami.
“We are delighted to have Vikas on board who brings with him 16 years of experience in advertising, branding building, marketing solutions. With his expertise UTV’s TV division will see unprecedented growth by making UTV the top software company in Asia,” says UTV promoter Ronnie Screwvala.
As COO, Varma will guide the TV division’s business strategy and operations along with business development.
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.
