GECs
Worldspace launches Urdu radio station Falak
MUMBAI: Worldspace Satellite Radio has launched a 24-hour Urdu radio station – Falak. Named after the Urdu word for ‘sky’, the channel aims to showcase the vast repertoire of Urdu music.
Channel No. 109 on the Worldspace Satellite Radio Network, Falak captures the nuances of Urdu through a range of innovative programming that brings to life the romance of more than just the language. The channel revives memories of a whole tradition of impeccable style and etiquette, prose and poetry, and a rapidly vanishing set of traditional values.
Speaking on the launch of the new channel, Worldspace India MD Shishir Lall said, “It is our endeavour at Worldspace to showcase the rich musical diversity of the world in a refreshing advertising-free format, which can be accessed in virtually any part of the country. Worldspace is home to the widest variety of musical genres on radio with music ranging from contemporary forms such as Hip-hop and Pop to classic selections like Jazz, Hindustani, and Bengali. Falak will now enable music lovers to go back in time and indulge in the lyrical sounds of Urdu.”
Falak showcases the widest collection of Urdu music on radio in the form of ghazals, qawalis and film songs, broadcasting rare songs that are not even available in music stores today. The carefully structured programming highlights the various forms of Urdu music ranging from evocative poetry readings or Mushairas, exclusive interviews with singers and poets of a bygone era, special live recordings, trivia on historical events, celebrating the lives of legends from Urdu literature and music, sharing social messages contained in ancient Urdu literature, in addition to a host of other exclusive
programming.
The channel will air shows such as Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey, Filmy Saugaat, Aqwaal-E-Zareen, Sufiyana Kalaam, Bazm-E-Khanam, Ghazal Usne Chhedi and Sham-E-Farozan.
Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey will air an interesting peep into the times gone by, Radio Falak will take a look into the history of various important cities, places of interest, monuments etc., sharing interesting and unknown anecdotes. Filmy Saugaat will broadcast film songs featuring Urdu lyrics, from India and Pakistan. The show will be presented by Sabiha Fazal who excels in his knowledge of Hindustani and Pakistani film music, shares anecdotes about singers, composers, songwriters, and film producers on this entertaining show, according to an official release.
Aqwaal-E-Zareen will air social messages by great philosophers from all over the globe that have been translated and adapted in Urdu to imbibe modesty, humility and good human values.
Bazm-E-Khanam, yet another special programme catering to the ladies, the show features tips on good health, house keeping, family relations, culinary delights from Indian, Mughlai, Irani, Uzbeki, Arabic and Afghani platter – their history, the little known tricks and techniques of their preparation.
Sufiyana Kalaam, a special programme featuring Sufi Qawalis, Mersias, Nohas and Baints. Ghazal Usne Chhedi is based on Urdu poetry. Sham-E-Farozan will air best ghazals by renowned Urdu poets.
Radio Falak will also air the ethos of a bygone era and revel in the soothing and powerful voices of legends like Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Iqbal Bano, Tahira Saiyad, Farida Khanam, Reshma, Abida Parveen and Nusrat Saheb.
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.
