GECs
Zee, Astro in deal for localised S-E ASIA channel
MUMBAI: Malaysia’s multi-channel pay TV operator Astro is working out arrangements with different Indian companies to produce local content for its direct-to-home (DTH) subscribers. The latest is with Zee Network to launch a new dedicated channel with Hindi content, for its Indonesian, Malaysian and Brunei audiences.
The channel’s content will be sourced from Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Music and Trendz, Zee Telefilms Ltd chief executive officer – International Operations Dheeraj Kapuria tells Indiantelevision.com. “We will provide content from the library as well as have fresh content,” he adds. The content will be localised with Bahasa Indonesia dubbing and Bahasa Melayu subtitling, to reflect the different language, lifestyle and viewing habits of the audiences in the three countries.
The channel, to be called Zee, is planned for launch on 1 December. It will have a movie every day, five hours of music programming, half hour of content from Trendz and the balance programming from Zee TV, says Kapuria.
Viewers of the specially packaged channel will be treated to fresh programmes with 37 hours per week of Bahasa Indonesia audio track and 54 hours per week of Malay subtitles.
The channel will be uplinked by Zee Telefilms and downlinked in Kuala Lumpur by Astro for turnaround to Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. “We will have a revenue sharing arrangement with Astro,” says Kapuria.
With total subscriber base of more than 1.7 million, Astro has produced 1,292 hours of content and 7,061 hours of subtitling last year alone, including production of the popular Akademi Fantasia, a reality-based talent programme, Miss Astro Chinese International Pageant and the International Tamil Film Awards.
Zee Network has always endeavored to localize and customize its content to suit the specific demands of each country with individual feeds of its channels for each region. This channel customization is brought to a new level with the dual-language customization for three different markets, the company says in a release.
Adds Kapuria: “Zee has always taken pride in being the first to reach out to global audiences with great entertainment from India. With this initiative, our Indonesian, Malaysian and Brunei viewers will be able to enjoy our shows better, because our content that is already popular, will now be in a language they can understand.”
Remarks Astro director of programming Zainir Aminullah: “Astro always strives to bring relevant content to our viewers and this has been achieved through strong local content strategy and localization of International Channels. This partnership with Zee Network that will produce a new customized Hindi Channel will substantially increase the appeal of our service in growing our subscriber base, as well as create differentiation in driving our new market in Indonesia.”
Astro has already announced joint ventures with Sun Network, NDTV and UTV.
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.
