GECs
Zee News to start video streaming on its website zeenews.com
NEW DELHI: Getting tech savvy and in a bid to attract those more prone to watching news using their computers than the TV set, Zee News will be starting video streaming on zeenews.com.
Laxmi N Goel director, News Group Zee Telefilms
“The process of streaming news on the news portal with live videos is ready to be launched. If not today, over the next few days we will introduce this feature on the Zee News site,” Laxmi N Goel, director, News Group of Zee Telefilms, told indiantelevision.com yesterday.
Goel, one of the brothers of Zee promoter Subhash Chandra, took over as the head of Zee News a few months ago after its then head Sanjay Pugalia quit the company to join the Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star’s news division as director news in India.
Though others like NDTV, contracted to supply content for Star News channel, had started streaming video on their sites (ndtv.com), Zee News has woken up to the wonders of technology now.
Pointing out that it better to be late than never in doing it, Goel said that on an average the Zee News’ site got between 90-95,000 hits daily. “After we introduce streaming, we are confident that the hits would increase tremendously,” he added.
Though a country-wise break-up of hits was not available, it is learnt that the Zee News site gets more hits from the US. “Since it is our aim to cater to the needs of Indians within the country and the Indian diaspora around the globe, video streaming would add another dimension to that effort,” Goel said.
Goel, though a bit guarded on the plans and designs that he has for Zee News, admitted that over the next few months the look of the news channel would change and some new programmes would be added.
At one time considered the uncrowned king of news broadcasting, catering to the Hindi-speaking populace of India, Zee News in recent times has lost some ground. Especially with the entry of newer players like Aaj Tak from the India Today Group stable. At least various studies on market share indicate this.
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.
