GECs
Zee plans blockbuster gameshow ‘Kam ya Zyaada’; prize money Rs 30 million
MUMBAI: Zee TV is turning bullish on the gameshow genre with two big ticket properties in the pipeline.
It is a known fact that the channel has a Subhash Chandra-driven reality gameshow coming up in Business Baazigar. But there is another big property it has kept under wraps and this one beats even the Star Plus show KBC2 in prize money. The one in question, titled Kam ya Zyaada, will make an offer in the range of Rs 30 million.
A reliable source close to the company says the show, the Indian adaptation of an original Scandinavian format, is in the initial stage of planning. The format details are still awaited. According to the source, production house Optimystic is doing the show for Zee TV.
The company has kicked off its talks with telecom operators including Hutch, Airtel and Tata Indicom for a deal to enable the show’s interactive features. The channel is yet to zero in on the launch date.
“Kam ya Zyaada is a gameshow that will be mainly driven by very strong interactive features. The SMS feature is an integral part of the whole format. Zee is presently in talks with all the major telecom operators to find the best deal,” says a source.
It is learnt that Zee will present a celebrity anchor to drive the show. According to the source, the shortlisted candidates for the anchor’s position figures top stars from the film and TV industry.
“Since the show is very anchor-driven and at the same time the competitior has a Bachchan-anchored programme in KBC2, Zee wants the presenter to be a charismatic person who is at the same time very high on the popularity charts,” he adds.
Looking back, we had Zee fighting the first edition of KBC with the gameshow Sawal Dus Crore Ka. But the show, anchored by Anupam Kher and Manisha Koirala, failed to hit KBC and was consequently taken off in less than six months.
With KBC 2, the gameshow mania is back again with a vengeance in the Hindi television space. KBC 2 launches on Star Plus on 5 August. Then on Star One there is the desi version of the successful NBC reality show The Apprentice.
Sony Entertainment Television, on the other hand, has its biggie Indian Idol 2 coming up during the festival season while currently there is Fame Gurukul.
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.
