GECs
Zee launches dedicated channel for Mideast
MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra’s Zee TV has launched a dedicated channel for the Middle East region.
Zee is clearly hoping to cash in on the advantages that structuring its FPC to tie in with prime time viewing in the Gulf offers. All Indian channels beaming in the Gulf region work with a disadvantage as far as programming timings are concerned because India is 90 minutes ahead of the UAE timewise.
Therefore a 9 pm prime time show in India would actually be telecast at 7:30 pm in the Gulf.
The UAE-based Gulf News has quoted Zee Group broadcast CEO Sandeep Goyal as saying that that while the new channel will continue to have programming primarily sourced from what goes into the Indian broadcast, it will also attempt to produce some of its more popular programmes locally.
The uplink will be done out of Singapore on Asiasat, as is the case with all Zee channels beaming in India. Apart from the Middle East, the coverage extends to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. There are plans to add Maldives or Mauritius at a later date, the newspaper reported.
Zee is also hoping the dedicated feed will help boost regional subscriber numbers, which currently stand at 150,000. Zee TV became a pay channel in July, 2001. In the region, it and its sister channels – Zee Cinema, Zee Music and Zee News – are distributed by Add-Pehla, E-Vision and BRTC.
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.
