GECs
Zee secures rights to Tehelka tapes?
If sources in the industry are to be believed, Zee News has secured exclusive rights to the full transcript of the explosive “Tehelka tapes” which has shaken the government of prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
The media has been abuzz with reports that rival channels Star News and Aaj Tak from the India Today group were also in the bidding race but the rights were firmly with Zee, the sources confirmed.
Zee group corporate communication head Sainath Aiyar, however, refused to either deny or confirm whether Zee had the rights or not.
Aiyar was equally cagey about reports that the Zee Network had entered into a strategic equity relationship with Buffalo Networks wherein it was taking a 26 per cent equity stake in the independent media organisation. Tehelka is a division of Buffalo Networks.
Aiyar did admit that the due diligence process was currently on but said a final decision in this regard was still to be taken. He was unable to provide a time frame within which a deal might be reached.
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.
