GECs
Zee to phase out ‘Awaz’ in three weeks
MUMBAI: Zee’s most ambitious show for 2003 is winding up just seen months after it began with a bang. Awaz – Dil Se Dil Tak, that started in August last year on a high note, ends in the first week of March 2004 with a whimper.
Awaz… will make way for Kaun?, a thriller show that premieres 7 March on Zee TV. Kaun? incidentally will be reruns of the popular Thriller at Ten, that was telecast on Zee in 1998-99. While insiders say Kaun? will be a repeat of the original at the outset, original episodes are likely to be added as the serial gathers steam.
Kaun?, incidentally, is being launched almost at the same time that nearest rival Sony Entertainment Television plans to premiere its new Optimystix produced thriller show Yeh Life Meri Hai.
Awaz…, produced by Zee favourite Gajendra Singh (who also does the long runnng Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) told the tale of a clutch of unrelated people who are thrown together by destiny when the aeroplane they are travelling in is hijacked and later crashes on an island. It recounts how their relationships go through a plethora of changes once all of them are rescued and return to their earlier lives.
Awaz…, which displaced the Siddhant Cinevision produced Kittie Party from its 10 pm slot, did reasonably well in the earlier phase, but ratings started to fall as the story brought the characters back into their city lives, say sources. With Kaun?, a series that had different producers making independent episodic tales, Zee probably aims to bring back the viewers who had received it enthusiastically, as well as the ratings success that goes with it.
Co producer of Awaz…., Ashwini Karandikar however professed ignorance of Awaz….’s impending departure, when contacted last week.
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.
